Zurich / CH. (aag) As part of ongoing Board refreshment and renewal, Swiss Aryzta AG announces the addition of James B. (Jim) Leighton to its Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director. The appointment is subject to approval by Aryzta shareholders at its upcoming AGM (6th December 2017).
Jim Leighton brings more than 30 years of international operations, management and manufacturing experience within the food and retail sector to the Board of Directors. He brings both public and private company experience having served as President of Perdue Foods, a large privately-held food and protein company from 2009 to 2013; and Senior Vice President of operations and supply chain from 2006 to 2009. From 2002 to 2006, he served as the Senior Vice President of Operations of ConAgra Foods Inc., one of the largest publically traded food companies in the United States. Between 2013 and 2016, Leighton served as Chief Operating Officer and, subsequently, as Interim Chief Executive Officer of Boulder Brands Inc., one of the largest and fastest growing Health and Wellness food companies in North America. Currently, Leighton is President of 40 North Foods and CEO of Getting FIT, both entities that he founded.
Gary McGann, Chairman of Aryzta commented: «I am delighted to announce the appointment of Jim as Non-Executive Director. With his appointment we have diversified and deepened the skills, background and experience of our Board. Jim has substantial North American business experience at the key interface between supplier, retailer and consumer, and will provide valuable support to the Board and, by extension, the Management team».
An announcement regarding the Board’s recommendation to shareholders on the appointment of an additional, experienced European Non-Executive Director will be made to the market in due course.
