The last month has seen a slew of prominent leaders leaving and a new raft of grocery industry bosses appointed. We round up the most recent C-suite switches at some of the grocery industry’s leading retailers, brands and suppliers.

Quorn

Photo: CEO Marco Bertacca (left) is to replaced by former Heineken UK managing director David Flochel (right)

In – David Flochel, Out – Marco Bertacca

Yesterday (22 October) Quorn Foods chief executive Marco Bertacca stepped down after five years at the plant-based brand, to be succeeded by former Heineken UK managing director David Flochel.

Bertacca’s exit from the meat alternative brand comes after owner Marlow Foods posted a £63m loss and its lowest sales since 2017 in its last financial year, as it faced weaker demand for vegan products.

Flochel has promised that 2025 will be a “reset year” for the company. He added: “This is a brilliant opportunity to transform the business into the next stage of its journey and I am delighted to be taking on this new role. I believe that with the right focus and execution, we can turn around the company and current category performance.”

Westfalia

Photo: Former Tesco CEO Bush is to lead Westfalia.

In – Chris Bush, Out – Rian du Toit

Westfalia Fruit Group, one of the world’s largest fruit suppliers, has appointed former Tesco UK boss Chris Bush as its new group chief executive.

Bush is to replace the supplier’s acting group CEO Rian du Toit, who will return to his role as Group CFO.

The appointment comes nearly six years after Bush was cleared of fraud charges related to Tesco’s £250m accounting scandal, following a judge in 2018 dismissing the Serious Fraud Office case against Bush and former colleague John Scouler, citing a lack of evidence.

After being cleared of fraud, Bush, whose extensive career included 32 years at Tesco in positions including CEO of Tesco Thailand, reportedly sued Tesco for unfair dismissal.

Speaking about his new appointment at the supplier, Bush said: “I am both honoured and delighted to be joining an organisation that is so clearly dedicated to innovation, product quality and sustainability.”

JDE Peet’s

Photo: Fabien Simon (left) has been replaced by Rafael Oliveira (right).

In – Rafael Oliveira,  Out – CEO Fabien Simon

Kenco-owned JDE Peet’s has hired Kraft Heinz Company exec Rafael Oliveira as its new chief executive to lead it revival.

The new CEO is set to join the tea and coffee manufacturer from 1 November, after spending 10 years at Kraft Heinz in various roles including executive vice president and president of international markets. Oliveira will take over from former CEO Fabien Simon who stepped down in March following a slump in profit and sales.

Since Simon’s exit, JDE Peet’s, which owns brands such as Kenco, L’Or and Tassimo, has since rapidly burnt through two interim CEO’s however it said it would enter a “new and exciting phase” following Oliveira’s appointment.

JDE Peet’s chairman Peter Harf said: “His deep understanding of global markets and consumers, strategic acumen, and proven performance in the consumer sector is complemented by a passion for innovation and team development.”

“With Rafa’s [Oliveira’s] appointment, the company is now entering a new and exciting phase. I am confident in Rafa’s ability to deliver against our strategic priorities and drive consistent performance across top-line, profitability, and cash flow whilst creating value for all stakeholders.”

Asda

Photo: Mohsin Issa (left) has exited Asda and has been replaced by chair Lord Stuart Rose (right).

In – Stuart Rose, Out – Mohsin Issa

Last month, Mohsin Issa officially resigned from his executive leadership role at Asda to focus on his previously announced position as sole CEO of EG Group.

In his place, current Asda chairman Stuart Rose will assume Issa’s executive responsibilities, alongside TDR Capital partner and director of the supermarket’s board, Rob Hattrell.

Speaking about the move, Lord Rose said: “We respect Mohsin’s decision to move on from his role at Asda where his work is complete to be the sole CEO of EG Group. We are very grateful to Mohsin for the role he has played in overseeing Asda, including launching into the growth market of convenience stores and introducing a loyalty app now used by more than six million customers”.

However just the previous month, Rose described the supermarket giant’s performance as “embarrass[ing]” and called for Issa to step back from the day-to-day management of Asda. He stated: “I wouldn’t encourage him to [intervene in operations], and I am the chairman. We need a full-time, fully experienced retail executive to come in.”

“We always said Mohsin was a particular horse for a particular course. He is a disrupter, an entrepreneur, he is an agitator.”

“We’ve added a significant number of stores and we’ve changed a lot but it now needs a different animal. In the nicest possible way, Mohsin’s work is largely complete.”

Last week, Issa invested £10m sports supplement brand Applied Nutrition, sharing a 7% stake in the business with three other prominent investors, including Home Bargains founder Tom Morris and property mogul George Downing.

Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free

Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning

Lipton Teas

Photo: Nathalie Roos has stepped down from Lipton, while the hunt is on for its next permanent CEO.

Out – Nathalie Roos, In –  Pierre Laubies (interim)

In September, Lipton Teas & Infusions chief executive Nathalie Roos stepped down after two years leading the tea manufacturer.

Roos, who previously held a number of roles at Mars and L’Oréal, took to social media to reveal she has “decided to turn a new page”.

She said: “It is with great emotion that I sincerely thank my leadership team, and all the teams at Lipton Teas & Infusions worldwide, for their unwavering commitment and trust. Together, with the support of our shareholders, we embarked on an incredible journey to transform the tea industry with remarkable energy.”

It is understood that Lipton chair Pierre Laubies will take over the role of CEO until a replacement for Roos is found.

Chapel Down

Photo: Andrew Carter is to exit Chapel Down for new role as brewery Timothy Taylor CEO in 2025.

Out – Andrew Carter

Last month, Chapel Down CEO Andrew Carter stepped down as the UK’s biggest wine maker reported that its half-year profit had slumped by 22%.

Carter will remain at the helm of the business while it looks for a new chief executive but is set to become CEO at brewery Timothy Taylor in 2025.

Chapel Down is also thought to be mulling a sale in a bid to fund new vineyards and a new purpose-built winery, which it wants to be operational by 2026.

Nestlé

Photo: Mark Schneider exited Nestlé after 8 years, to be replaced by new CEO Laurent Freixe.

Out – Mark Schneider, In – Laurent Freixe

In August, Nestlé promoted company veteran Laurent Freixe as its new CEO as Mark Schneider stepped down after eight years with the FMCG giant.

Speaking about his decision to exit, Schneider said: “Leading Nestlé for the past eight years has been an honour for me. I am grateful for what we have achieved, having transformed Nestlé into a future-proofed, innovative and sustainable business.”

Former Latin America division CEO and vice president Frexie has wasted no time in his bid to transform the food and drink manufacturer, and last week restructured the business and its executive team to be “leaner” as it cut its guidance after weaker-than-expected sales.

Waitrose-owner, John Lewis Partnership

Photo: Nish Kankiwala has stepped down as JLP chief executive.

Out – Nish Kankiwala

Earlier this month, it as revealed that Waitrose-parent company John Lewis Partnership CEO Nish Kankiwala would step back into his non-executive role at the group.

Kankiwala will resume his position on the board in March 2025 to support new chairman, former Tesco UK boss Jason Tarry, who succeeded Dame Sharon White last month.

The Partnership said the role of chief executive will not be directly replaced, and reflects the “significant progression of the transformation” of the business.

Kankiwala’s move comes less than two year’s since Waitrose parent company appointed the former Hovis CEO, as its chief executive.