AUS: Nestle exec Irvine to take Lion CEO role
By Dean Best | 20 August 2012
- Irvine to join in November
- Formally becomes CEO in January
- Worked for Nestle since 1998
Nestle executive Stuart Irvine is to become CEO of Australian dairy-to-beer group Lion next year.
Irvine will replace Rob Murray in January. Lion announced in February that Murray, himself a former Nestle executive, would leave the Pura milk and XXXX beer business in early 2013 after over a decade with the company.
Irvine is chief executive of Nestle's business in Russia and Eurasia. He has worked at Nestle since 1998 and had roles across Europe.
He will join Lion in November as part of a "handover period" with Murray.
Earlier this month, Lion's owner, Japanese food and drink group Kirin Holdings, said the Australian firm's net sales fell 4% in the first half of 2012.
Lion's food and dairy division in Australia continued to face "subdued consumer sentiment", Kirin said. "Deep retailer discounting on white milk continues to impact the business," it added, although speciality cheeses South Cape and Tasmanian Heritage saw strong value sales growth over the six-month period.
Lion Appoints Chief Executive Officer
August 20, 2012
Monday August 20, Sydney: Following its announcement that Rob Murray will step down as CEO in early 2013, Lion today announced the appointment of Stuart Irvine, effective 2 January 2013.
Stuart is currently CEO of Nestle Russia and Eurasia – a $2 billion beverage and food business with 10,000 people, 14 production sites and multiple business models.
After finishing his education at Edinburgh University, Stuart started his career in Sales at Procter and Gamble in the United Kingdom before moving to Spillers in 1996. Following the acquisition of Spillers by Nestle in 1998, Stuart became Managing Director of Friskies Petfood Spain and Portugal.
Stuart then moved into various Managing Director and CEO roles within Nestle across the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland and the Baltics, before taking up his current position in Russia.
Sir Rod Eddington, Chairman of the Lion Board said: “I am delighted to welcome Stuart to Lion. Stuart’s extensive experience in fast moving consumer goods across a diverse range of markets and complex business models will be an asset to Lion.”
Stuart Irvine said: “I am thrilled to be joining Lion and look forward to getting to know the business and its people from November. In addition to its strong stable of iconic brands Lion’s long-term and focused investment in its people and culture is what drew me to the role, and mirrors the approach I have taken at Nestle.
“I am passionate about building brands and thrive on the fast-paced and dynamic environment the consumer goods sector provides. As the leading food and beverage businesses in Australasia, Lion provides the ideal mix of opportunity and challenge in an exciting and continuously evolving market.”
Stuart was appointed through a rigorous and values-based recruitment process. To ensure a smooth transition, a handover period with Rob will commence from mid-November 2012.
Original source: Lion
Sectors: Dairy
Companies: Nestle, Kirin Holdings
View next/previous articles
20 Aug 2012 -
20 Aug 2012 -
Currently reading -
AUS: Nestle exec Irvine to take Lion CEO role
Related research
Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd (NESTLE) - Financial and Strategic SWOT Analysis Review
Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd (Nestle Malaysia) is a food and beverages company. The company, its undertakes manufacturing, marketing, and sale of instant noodles, chocolate confectionery products, cereals, culinary products, ice-cream, liquid milk, powdere...
Nestle SA (NESN) - Financial and Strategic SWOT Analysis Review
Nestle SA (Nestle) is one of the world's leading nutrition, health and wellness companies. Being the holding company of the Nestle Group, it operates through its subsidiaries, associated companies and joint ventures across the world. The company has ...
Datamonitor's Nestle Purina PetCare Company - SWOT Analysis company profile is the essential source for top-level company data and information. Nestle Purina PetCare Company - SWOT Analysis examines the company’s key business structure and operations...
Related articles
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
The food industry was rocked this week with what is set to be the largest-ever takeover in the food sector: Heinz sold to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway fund and 3G Capital for US$28bn. The horsemeat saga trundled on, with arrests in the UK, as well as the first set of industry-wide tests. Results also poured in from the likes of PepsiCo, Mondelez International and Nestle.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
Two Hs dominated the headlines this week: horsemeat and Heinz. The horsemeat contamination scandal swept across Europe, with a series of recalls, government investigations and product tests. On Thursday, however, Heinz took the industry's attention with news it had accepted a US$28bn takeover bid - the largest-ever seen in the sector.
There are currently no comments on this article
Be the first to comment on this article