By James Atkinson
Following its announcement that Rob Murray will step down as CEO in early 2013, Lion this week announced Nestle boss Stuart Irvine will take over the role in January next year.
Irvine is currently CEO of Nestle Russia and Eurasia – a $2 billion beverage and food business with 10,000 people, 14 production sites and multiple business models.
After finishing his education at Edinburgh University, Irvine started his career in sales at Procter and Gamble in the United Kingdom before moving to Spillers in 1996. Following the acquisition of Spillers by Nestle in 1998, Stuart became managing director of Friskies Petfood Spain and Portugal.
Stuart then moved into various managing director and CEO roles within Nestle across the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland and the Baltics, before taking up his current position in Russia.
Sir Rod Eddington, chairman of the Lion Board said: “I am delighted to welcome Stuart to Lion. Stuart’s extensive experience in fast moving consumer goods across a diverse range of markets and complex business models will be an asset to Lion.”
Stuart Irvine said: “I am thrilled to be joining Lion and look forward to getting to know the business and its people from November. In addition to its strong stable of iconic brands Lion’s long-term and focused investment in its people and culture is what drew me to the role, and mirrors the approach I have taken at Nestle.
“I am passionate about building brands and thrive on the fast-paced and dynamic environment the consumer goods sector provides. As the leading food and beverage businesses in Australasia, Lion provides the ideal mix of opportunity and challenge in an exciting and continuously evolving market.”
Lion said that to ensure a smooth transition, a handover period with Rob Murray will commence from mid-November 2012.