Gathered Foods names Christine Mei as CEO

Gathered Foods, maker of Good Catch plant-based seafood, has appointed Christine Mei as its new CEO.

Christine Mei

Mei succeeds Chris Kerr, who also co-founded the company. Kerr will remain in his role as executive chair.

According to Gathered Foods, Mei has over 30 years of consumer packaged goods industry experience and has worked in positions spanning marketing, strategy, sales, and operations. She has held roles with multinationals including The Coca-Cola Company, Beiersdorf, and Nike.

Most recently, Mei has been an investor and mentor for Texas-based consumer products accelerator SKU, where she advised start-ups.

Gathered Foods produces vegan tuna, which it claims replicates the taste, texture and nutrition of seafood, under its Good Catch brand. The company also recently launched a line of frozen entrees and appetisers, including fish cakes and burgers.

In the last year, Gathered Foods closed a $36.8 million Series B funding round, with backing from General Mills’ venture arm and Maple Leaf Foods subsidiary, Greenleaf Foods.

The company has since expanded its distribution footprint through forming a joint distribution venture with US-based seafood company Bumble Bee Foods and by launching in Tesco in the UK.

“We’re beyond excited to have been able to attract someone like Christine to lead our enterprise,” said Gathered Foods co-founder and executive chair, Chris Kerr.

“She brings such a wealth of experience in the consumer packaged goods space, with a focus on catapulting brands to their full potential. The future of our brand is bright and we are excited for what’s to come with Christine at the helm.”

Newly appointed CEO, Christine Mei, added: “I’m so energised about the tremendous potential for the Good Catch brand. In fact, the future of the entire plant-based food industry is on a trajectory of positive disruption.  

“I’m really looking forward to collaborating with co-founders Chris Kerr, Chad and Derek Sarno to set Good Catch onto its next curve of growth.”