Danone has completed its leadership team with three new appointments at the executive committee level – a chief operations officer; chief research, innovation, quality and food safety officer; and chief sustainability and strategic business development officer.
Three globally recognised professionals – two from outside Danone and one internal – represent an important step in strengthening Danone’s execution and innovation, over the short and long-term.
“The completion of the Danone’s executive committee team, in particular with the addition of two new senior executives recognised for their expertise, is an important step in bringing Danone back to what made it a unique company,” Danone chief executive officer Antoine de Saint-Affrique said. “A passion for brands and innovation and excellence in execution, all combined with a pioneering spirit in terms of sustainability. I am proud to lead such a team, characterised by its determination, passion and discipline.”
Vikram Agarwal has been appointed as chief operations officer, in charge of Cycles and Procurement, Manufacturing and Supply Chain, and will further strengthen the performance of Danone’s operations. Agarwal will begin in January after a 33-year international career in leading Procurement, Manufacturing and Supply chain functions in consumer goods. He will also be appointed End-to-end Design to Delivery coordinator.
Isabelle Esser will assume the role of chief research, innovation, quality and food safety officer and will manage Danone’s science, innovation, quality and product superiority agenda across categories. Esser will start in April, bringing more than 25 years of experience in leading Research and Development functions in consumer goods.
Meanwhile, Henri Bruxelles will assume the role of chief sustainability and strategic business development officer in January, bringing sustainability back to the heart of Danone’s business delivery and performance. Bruxelles will also oversee identifying, assessing and exploring new and sustainable growth opportunities, from geographic, category and business model perspectives. Bruxelles is currently serving as the chief operating officer End-to-end Design to Delivery and has been with Danone since 1987.