Driscoll's has announced several changes to its organisation, including the formation of a new global management team, as it looks to further advance its global business strategy.
The introduction of the global management team is set to be completed by 1 December this year, and includes the promotion of Kevin Murphy from president of Driscoll's of the Americas, to president and COO of Driscoll's.
“Our mission is to continually delight berry consumers through alignment with our customers and our berry growers,” said J. Miles Reiter, Driscoll's chairman and CEO. “Over the last 25 years, we have seen Driscoll’s grow and develop into a multi-faceted leader of the North American fresh berry industry, with expanding brand presence in other parts of the world.
“Looking to the future, we will have a broader global reach and must be well coordinated to pursue our core mission across a wide range of geographies and cultural traditions,' he continued. 'The changes in our executive management structure we are announcing today will position us to build new capabilities for the next 25 years of continued growth in this exciting industry.'
On the promotion of Murphy, Reiter added: 'Kevin has demonstrated the ledership skills, focus and judgement required to take our diverse global business units to the levels called for in the strategic plan.'
With Murphy changing roles, leadership responsibility for the Driscoll's of the Americas business unit will be assumed by Soren Bjorn, who previously held the role of senior vice-president of Driscoll's international business and global technologies. Bjorn becomes an executive vice-president in the new structure.
Reiter confirmed that he would continue in the role of chairman and CEO, while Theo Houwen will take up a new title as senior vice-president of Driscoll's of Europe, Middle East and Africa.
The Driscoll’s Global Management team is now made up of:
- Kevin Murphy – president and COO
- Sean Martin – CFO
- Lynne Oldham – CHRO
- David Sterry – senior vice-president for global R&D, business development and strategic planning
- Soren Bjorn – executive vice-president - Driscoll’s of the Americas
- Theo Houwen – senior vice-president - Driscoll’s of Europe, Middle East and Africa
“I am excited by the future for Driscoll’s under Kevin’s leadership,' Reiter added. 'We are putting in place the leadership, organisation capabilities and collaborations with our customer and berry grower partners that will enable us to achieve the aspiration of our global vision.”
