Dutch food group Wessanen, which is busy exiting the US to focus on the European market, has named Sara Lee executive Piet Hein Merckens as chairman and CEO.

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The appointment of Merckens, a former Procter & Gamble executive, brings an end to a search that lasted for months after CEO Ad Veenhof left the business last February.


Frans Koffrie was named interim CEO on Veenhof’s departure but Wessanen had insisted it would find a new boss by the end of 2009.


The apparent delay had caused uncertainty among investors but Wessanen said Merckens’ “extensive experience in fast-moving consumer goods and international organisations” made the 47-year-old “the right person” to lead the business.


Merckens is in line to join the Wessanen board in April to focus on its European business. He is set to take up a role as CEO in June.

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Shares in Wessanen were down 1.4% at EUR3.99 at 10:35 CET this morning.

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