• Denis Phelps (left) has been announced as chief customer officer and Gerard Smith (right) as chief marketing officer for Freedom Foods Group. CEO Michael Perich says the two complete the group’s “comprehensive renewal of the senior leadership team”. 
Source: FFG website
    Denis Phelps (left) has been announced as chief customer officer and Gerard Smith (right) as chief marketing officer for Freedom Foods Group. CEO Michael Perich says the two complete the group’s “comprehensive renewal of the senior leadership team”. Source: FFG website
Close×

Freedom Foods Group CEO Michael Perich says the two latest executive appointments complete the group’s “comprehensive renewal of the senior leadership team”.

Denis Phelps has been announced as chief customer officer and Gerard Smith as chief marketing officer.

Phelps was most recently country manager for Danone in Cambodia. The CCO role is a new one for FFG, with Phelps leading customer and category strategies across the group. He brings more than 25 years FMCG experience to the role, having worked for Danone, Unilever and The Clorox Company.

As CMO Smith will lead marketing, innovation and sustainability. Perich said he also brings digital strategy experience to the role, having previously worked for Lion, Goodman Fielder and PepsiCo, where he was vice president marketing Global Snacks Portfolio. 

Phelps and Smith round out a year of executive rebuilding including CFO Josée Lemoine, COO Stuart Muir, chief people and culture officer Fiona McGregor, group general counsel and company secretary Justin Cross, and general manager internal audit Tim Phoon.

The company’s FY21 results will be released on 30 August.

Packaging News

Amcor has reported stronger sales and broad-based packaging volume growth, with pet food, foodservice and beauty and wellness driving demand across its global operations.

Catalyst has acquired Planet Ark’s Product Stewardship Hub. CEO Brooke Donnelly and Planet Ark CEO Adam Culley map the path forward for growing materials recovery.

APCO has appointed Sarah Cook as its next CEO, bringing experience in packaging investment, recycling technology and business transformation to the role. She succeeds Chris Foley who departs the organisation at the end of November.