Danone UK & Ireland has announced the appointment of James Mayer as the President of its newly implemented business structure. This brings together its four category businesses – Specialised Nutrition, Plant-Based, Dairy and Waters – into one unified company led by one management team. Danone stated that the move was designed to boost its growth opportunities by “maximising insights and expertise across the business”.
The changes are part of Danone’s global ‘Local First’ project, first announced in November 2020. The new structure aims to ensure that Danone UK & Ireland offers a more localised approach, enabling the business to meet specific marketplace and consumer needs, and tap into developing growth areas such as healthy ageing and plant-based alternatives.
Mayer takes on the role after more than 17 years at Danone, alongside a new leadership team of nine Vice Presidents offering a range of insight. Previously Senior VP of Specialised Nutrition for Europe and North America, Mayer has experience of managing and integrating divisions across 23 markets and leading a team of nine Zone General Managers. His prior roles at Danone have included MD for the UK’s Early Life Nutrition business and Global Commercial Vice President Early Life Nutrition.
With a host of well-known brands – including Alpro, Activia, Actimel, Evian, Harrogate, Volvic, Aptamil, and Cow & Gate – the company stated that it plans to build on its footprint in the UK & Ireland and capitalise on growth opportunities by investing in its research, innovation, and digital capabilities, as well as brands, products, and services.
Danone is currently progressing towards full B Corp certification across all its legal entities in the UK & Ireland – with its Waters, Dairy, Alpro and Harrogate Water divisions already B Corp accredited.
“This is an exciting time for Danone, and I’m incredibly proud to be leading the business into this new chapter,” said Mayer.
“Danone’s strong family of much-loved brands already support the health of millions of consumers and patients across the UK & Ireland at every stage in their life. Bringing together our category expertise will enable us to explore existing growth areas, as well as maximising new opportunities like the plant-based sector. By seeking new ways to promote healthier diets, we will drive sustainable growth through an even stronger portfolio of purpose-driven products, brands and services.”
