Former Dell CFO Brian Gladden joins Mondelez

Mondelez International has announced that Brian Gladden is joining the company as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective 1 December 2014. He will succeed David Brearton, who will assume a new role that focuses primarily on the establishment and launch of the joint venture with DE Master Blenders 1753 to form Jacobs Douwe Egberts.

The joint venture is expected to close in 2015 and will create the world’s leading pure-play coffee company with more than $7bn in revenue. Both Gladden and Brearton will report to Mondelez International chairman and CEO Irene Rosenfeld.

Brearton will remain CFO through 1 December. Gladden’s first day at Mondelez International will be 13 October, and he will work closely with Brearton to ensure a smooth transition.

Most recently, Gladden was senior vice president and CFO of Dell, the Texas-based technology company. While at Dell, Gladden played a key leadership role in its transformation from a PC-focused company to a broad technology solutions company, as well as in its leveraged buyout earlier this year. He led all aspects of the finance function, and was responsible for global information technology, security, facilities, corporate strategy and corporate development.

Previously, he was the president and CEO of Sabic Innovative Plastics, the successor company to General Electric Company’s Plastics business, after spending almost 20 years in senior financial and operational positions at GE. He ultimately led the sale of the GE Plastics business to Sabic in 2007.

“Adding Brian to our leadership team will accelerate our progress in becoming the best snacking company in the world,” said Rosenfeld. “Brian has a proven track record in financial and operating discipline, aggressive cost management to expand margins and fund growth, and building and leading a global business services operation. This background, together with his extensive experience operating in emerging markets, creating shareholder value and developing talent, will greatly benefit our global organisation and our shareholders.”