Danone appoints three new deputy CEOs

Danone has appointed three deputy CEOs to “better connect categories and regions” and drive the delivery of its ‘Renew Danone’ strategy. 

The new appointees are Veronique Penchienati-Bosetta, Shane Grant and Juergen Esser. They will report to Danone CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique.

Penchienati-Bosetta, current CEO of Danone International, has also been appointed as group deputy CEO and EVP specialized nutrition, waters, global marketing & digital.

Grant, current CEO of Danone North America, has been assigned the role of group deputy CEO, CEO Americas and EVP dairy, plant-based and global sales.

Meanwhile, Esser, current chief financial, technology and data officer, has been named as group deputy CEO in charge of finance, technology and data.

Antoine de Saint-Affrique said: “The appointment of three group deputy CEOs with proven expertise and leadership will enable us to further enhance our excellence in execution and better elevate our capabilities and category expertise across the company. This new leadership set-up will lead to faster and better decision-making, greater speed of execution and better connectivity in the path towards sustainable and profitable growth.”

In addition, Nigyar Makhmudova, EVP chief growth officer, and Floris Wesseling, Europe zone president – both members of the executive committee – have decided to leave Danone “to pursue their professional interests outside of the company”. The latter is set to be succeeded by Pablo Perversi.

The changes will be effective as of 1 February 2023.