Kind, the US-based snacks business in which confectionery giant Mars holds a minority stake, announced its long-serving president and chief operating officer John Leahy will retire.
Mike Barkley, who previously held management positions at Pinnacle Foods and Boulder Brands, will now take on Leahy’s roles as the New York-based firm “sets its sights on innovation and category disruption”, according to a statement from Kind late yesterday (23 January).
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Barkley will work alongside Kind’s founder and chief executive Daniel Lubetzky, who created the business 15 years ago. Leahy joined in 2010. The company manufactures a range of healthy, gluten-free snacks using ingredients such as nuts, seeds and whole grains.
Lubetzky commented on Leahy’s departure: “John had an illustrious career before Kind and took a chance on us when he came to our overcrowded office running in start-up mode. I owe a tremendous amount to John, not just for his mastery of the business and desire to service customers with excellence and long-term orientation, but also for his loyalty, mentorship, exemplary work ethic and values, and ability to have fun along the way.”
