The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), the organisation that brings together manufacturers and retailers globally, has appointed Ken Murphy, Group CEO of Tesco, and Ramon Laguarta, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, as its new Co-Chairs for the next two years.
The pair take over from Frans Muller, President & CEO of Ahold Delhaize, and Dirk Van de Put, Chairman and CEO of Mondelēz International.
The CGF unites CEOs from more than 400 member companies across 70 countries – including Carrefour, Danone, Nestlé, Unilever and Walmart – providing a forum for “driving positive change” in the consumer goods sector.
Speaking at the CGF’s Global Summit in Amsterdam last week, the new Co-Chairs set out the challenges they hope to help members address, including balancing the increasingly high expectations from consumers of brands and retailers with navigating a disruptive business environment. The new Co-Chairs underlined the value of the CGF to members and the importance of working together on the big issues.
They set out their ambition to build on the achievements that the outgoing Co-Chairs led over the past two years. In particular, they plan to:
- Enhance networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities, including at CGF events, and through the Future Leaders Programme to develop the next generation of talent.
- Develop regional strategy, expand sectors and grow membership, both through strengthening existing regional boards and working groups and exploring opportunities for new working groups or boards.
- Sharpen the CGF’s focus to support long-term sustainable business growth and resilience, in particular, accelerating positive impact and derisking value chains through the Coalitions of Action.
“ It’s a real privilege to step into the role of Co-Chair of the Consumer Goods Forum alongside Ramon from PepsiCo,” said Murphy.
“The CGF plays a vital role in bringing our industry together to address shared challenges and opportunities. Over the next two years, I’m committed to growing our reach and relevance locally, while expanding our network globally. In a fast-paced consumer environment, the CGF can play a positive role for members large and small, with pre-competitive knowledge sharing on the big issues.”
Laguarta added: “I strongly support the CGF mission of ‘Better Lives through Better Business,’ and over the next two years, I look forward to helping the CGF deliver positive impact on people and the planet, while continuing to strengthen the Global Food Safety Initiative.
“I am eager for the CGF to continue expanding its local engagement in North America, Europe, Latin America, China, and Japan, while ensuring they meet members’ regional needs and recruit new members.”
