The Chairman, CEO and CFO of UK-based confectioner Cadbury have all announced their intention to resign in the wake of Kraft’s successful takeover offer. The Board of Cadbury had been vehemently opposed to a Kraft deal up until a few weeks ago when a revised offer won their support and all three key managers wished the company well in the future. “It has been my great pleasure and privilege to chair Cadbury for the past two years, and I would like to thank Todd Stitzer, my fellow Board... ...Read more »

Jean-Marc Huet has been announced as the new Chief Financial Officer of consumer products giant Unilever. He will replace James Lawrence, who resigned last week after spending just over two years with the maker of Streets and Lipton. “We are delighted to have attracted a candidate of Jean-Marc’s talent and experience,” Paul Polman, Unilever Chief Executive said. “He joins Unilever at an exciting time. His background and expertise will be important in helping us realise the... ...Read more »

Consumer product firms Kellogg Company and Unilever have announced changes at the head of their organisations, with cereal group Kellogg advising of their new Chief Financial Officer while Unilever reported the resignation of theirs. Unilever said that its CFO, James Lawrence, has decided to resign from the boards of the maker of Streets and Lipton at the end of the year, just over two years after joining the firm. “It’s been an excellent time for me and I have made many good friends... ...Read more »

Allied Brands, one of Australia’s largest food brand franchisers, has announced the appointment of Sean Corbin to the post of Chief Financial Officer. The company, which recently reported a profit decline for the 2009 FY despite a rise in revenue, is the Australian franchiser of the Baskin-Robbins brand. Mr Corbin has most recently been employed as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary of RP Data Limited. He is a CPA qualified accountant who has prior experience within public companies... ...Read more »

Coles has announced the hiring of Tony Buffin as their new Chief Financial Officer. He will claim the position vacated by Terry Bowen when he moved to the position of CFO of Coles owner Wesfarmers. Mr Buffin joins the Coles business from his position as Executive Vice President and Managing Director of loyalty management firm Groupe Aeroplan. He had previously held the role of Chief Financial Officer at the company before taking over the MD role. His knowledge of loyalty programs could prove invaluable... ...Read more »

Australian manufacturer Patties Foods has announced the appointment of Michael Knaap to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) role after their previous CFO, Beth Schofield, stepped down in November last year. Mr Knaap moves from his previous role as CFO at Unibic Pty. Ltd. ‐ a privately owned family company manufacturing and marketing biscuits and other food products into the retail and foodservice channels. “Michael brings extensive experience in manufacturing performance I.T. systems, a deep... ...Read more »

Fonterra Co-operative Group, the world’s largest dairy exporter, has announced the appointment of Jonathan Mason as its new Chief Financial Officer. The dairy group also announced earlier this week that they had purchased the rights to the Ski brand three years ahead of originally planned. Mr Mason, who will take the reins from February 16, is a highly experienced finance executive and joins Fonterra from US-based company Cabot Corporation, where he has been Executive Vice President and Chief... ...Read more »

Peter Kempen, the Chairman of Australian food manufacturer Patties Foods, announced his resignation as Chairman and Director on Wednesday. “Peter became a Director of Patties Foods Limited in 2002 and Chairman of the Board in September 2005. He was one of the architects of the Company’s transition to public company status in November 2006,” a company statement advised. “We thank Peter for his very significant contribution to the growth of Patties and wish him well in his... ...Read more »