Kellogg turns to Nature’s Bounty CEO as John Bryant retires

John Bryant (left) is being replaced by Steven Cahillane.

Kellogg has appointed Steven Cahillane as its new chief executive officer, with John Bryant planning to retire in March 2018.

Cahillane was most recently CEO of supplement manufacturer Nature’s Bounty. His appointment as CEO will become effective on 2 October, with Bryant remaining with Kellogg as chairman of the board until March next year.

Cahillane will then become Kellogg’s chairman and CEO when Bryant retires. Bryant is 51.

Prior to his role at Nature’s Bounty, Cahillane spent seven years Coca-Cola, most recently serving as president of Coca-Cola Americas. Other roles there included president and CEO of the Coca-Cola Refreshments business, president of Coca-Cola Enterprises in North America and president of Coca-Cola Enterprises in Europe.

He previously spent eight years with AB InBev in various senior leadership roles including chief commercial officer, in which he led commercial strategy, global marketing, sponsorships, innovation and research following the 2004 merger of Interbrew and AmBev.

Cahillane, 52, earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northwestern University.

Speaking of the appointment, he said: “It will be my privilege and honour to work with such a talented group of employees as we pursue the tremendous growth opportunities before us.”

Bryant was named Kellogg CEO in 2011 and has been with the cereal company for 20 years in total.

“It has been my pleasure to serve as the CEO of Kellogg Company over the past seven years,” he said. “I am even more confident in the future of our company today than at any other time in my 20 years with Kellogg. I’ve decided that the time is right to hand over the reins to a new leader who can continue the transformation of this great company.

“Today, it’s my pleasure on behalf of the Kellogg board to welcome Steve. He is a proven leader with an exceptional track record of creating shareholder value. Steve has a tremendous history of success as the CEO of Nature’s Bounty, a health and wellness company, as well as in senior leadership roles around the world at blue-chip consumer packaged goods companies including Coca-Cola and AB InBev.

“I am confident that the strength of Steve’s leadership, combined with the drive and talent of our management team and the passion of our incredible employees, will enable Kellogg to realise our vision and purpose while achieving our long-term growth goals.”

Lead director of Kellogg Board of Directors Donald Knauss added that the Board is grateful for Bryant’s leadership and that the company is a stronger company today because of his work.

“As a board, we want to express our thanks to John for everything he has contributed to our company over the course of his Kellogg career,” he said. “This not only includes John’s accomplishments as CEO, such as continuing to transform Kellogg into a global snacks leader and significantly expanding our emerging markets business, but also as CFO and in other prior roles.”