Novo Nordisk, one of the principal suppliers of GLP-1 weight-loss medication, has handed a board role to the chief executive of Mars.
Poul Weihrauch is to be a “board observer” at the pharma group, which markets GLP-1 drugs under brands including Ozempic and Wegovy.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
GLP-1 medication, associated with appetite suppression, was first approved to treat Type-2 diabetes in the US more than 15 years ago and for the treatment of obesity around a decade ago.
However, with more consumers turning to the drugs to manage their weight, its impact on purchasing behaviour is being closely watched by the food and beverage sectors. Some industry watchers believe the rising use of GLP-1 medication will have a “structural” impact on the market. Research in the US has suggested demand from users for sweet and savoury snacks has been affected.
Amid the growing consumer interest in the drugs, food and drinks manufacturers and retailers are weighing up their impact on their sales and how to offer different types of products as users’ appetites change.
Asked why Novo Nordisk had appointed Weihrauch to the position of board observer, a spokesperson said: “We invited Poul Weihrauch to serve as an observer on the board to benefit from his sector knowledge and global leadership experience.
“As the CEO and president of Mars, Poul brings deep commercial insight into multinational consumer markets, strong experience with brand and supply‑chain strategy, and proven leadership in driving large, complex organisations, all of which are highly relevant to our strategic priorities. Mars is one of the top fast-moving consumer goods companies, and we think he will make a significant contribution to our board.”
The spokesperson declined to comment on what Weihrauch would do in the role.
Weihrauch will be a Novo Nordisk board observer for the 2026/2027 term. The company plans to nominate him for election as a board member at its AGM in 2027. The meetings usually take place in March.
Weihrauch joined Mars in 2000 in a role working on the Snickers brand in Europe. By 2011, he was president of Mars’ global food arm before becoming president of the company’s pet-care business in 2015, a role he held for seven years before becoming group CEO in 2022.
Just Food has approached Mars for comment.
