Executive appointment
Mary Barnard of Mondelēz International elected CAOBISCO president with two-year mandate
Mary Barnard, region president of Chocolate Category, Europe for Mondelēz International, since October 2016, is to become the new CAOBISCO president with a two-year mandate.
Barnard, the first female business leader to be elected to the role of CAOBISCO president, succeeds Alessandro Cagli, director of the Ferrero Group EU Public Affairs Office (Brussels), who becomes vice president.
The CAOBISCO Association represents the European chocolate, confectionery and biscuits industries.
“It’s an exciting time to take on this position as our industry adapts to changing consumer expectations and a dynamic policy environment. As confectioners, chocolate-makers and bakers, we have unique story to tell about the enjoyment and nourishment we provide to consumers across the continent, and how we create value and opportunities across the supply chain in Europe, and beyond,” Barnard said.
A British national, Barnard is responsible for iconic chocolate brands such as Cadbury, Milka, Côte d’Or and Toblerone at Mondelēz International and is a passionate advocate for the company’s global Cocoa sustainability program, Cocoa Life.
Areas of focus for the two-year CAOBISCO presidency include contributing meaningfully on behalf of the industry to the debate on mindful consumption and the benefits of providing a wide range of options for consumers, as well as continuing to advocate for the industry in Brussels and, through national associations, across member states.
“I am honoured to be elected to this position and I thank the national associations, and their members, for their trust. CAOBISCO represents business of all sizes and thus plays an essential role for our industry in actively promoting the sector and its interests. I look forward to engaging with CAOBISCO members and other stakeholders in the months ahead,” Barnard said.
Barnard joined Mondelēz as managing director, Nordics in March 2014 and assumed the Northern Europe Area commercial role from September 2014 to September 2016. She started her career in the food industry at Rank Hovis McDougall in 1989 and joined PepsiCo in 1997, rising to marketing director of Walkers Crisps.
