Godiva Chocolate names former Starbucks, PepsiCo exec as CEO

30-Jul-2017 - Last updated on 31-Jul-2017 at 07:37 GMT

Godiva's former CEO Mohamed Elsarky will continue to be part of the company. Photo: Godiva

Godiva Chocolate has named Annie Young-Scrivner as its new CEO, taking effect on Sept. 14, 2017.

Young-Scrivner, who will be based in Godiva’s New York office, will lead the development of markets including Japan, China, and North America as well as the company’s travel retail business.

Young-Scrivner previously worked as global CMO at Starbucks, where she led social and digital media strategy. She also worked as chairman at PepsiCo Food in China, where her team delivered double-digit growth.

Chairman of Godiva, Murat Ulker, said, “[Young-Scrivner] will play a major role in digitizing the company, globalizing our e-business and improving customer experience in our retail boutiques.”

Former CEO stepped down

Former Godiva CEO and president, Mohamed Elsarky, has decided to step down to focus on new projects.

Elsarky will continue to be part of the company, working as a member of the Yildiz Holding leadership team.

The Turkish conglomerate acquired Godiva for $850m in 2008 from the Campbell Soup Company, and consolidated its subsidiaries, including United Biscuits, Godiva, Ulker and DeMet’s Candy, into a $5.2bn global company Pladis in June 2016.