Marina Valverde will join the trade body from EuroCommerce, a trade organization representing retailers and wholesalers in Europe.
She will succeed Nafziger, who has been in the role for six years.
Valverde has over 20 years of experience in EU public affairs positions in Brussels and holds a Master’s degree in EU Law & Policies, CAOBISCO said in a release.
The Association of Chocolate, Biscuits and Confectionery Industries of Europe (CAOBISCO) – whose members include Nestlé, Ferrero and Mondelēz – earlier this year elected Ferrero’s director of EU Public Affairs Alessandro Cagli as its president for the next two years.
He succeeded former president Patrick Poirrier, CEO of French firm Cémoi, in June.
Public health debate
The chocolate, sugar confectionery and biscuits industry in the EU posted revenues of €66bn ($70bn) in 2013, according to the most recent data available in CAOBISCO’s latest annual report.
Confectionery in the public health debate has been a key focus for the trade body this year.
CAOBISCO’s General Assembly in June this year, chaired by ConfectioneryNews, focused on portion control as one method to tackle growing obesity levels in Europe.