CEO Patrick De Maeseneire to leave Barry Callebaut

After seven years with Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of cocoa and chocolate products, CEO Patrick De Maeseneire has decided to leave Barry Callebaut and to accept the appointment as CEO of Adecco, the worldwide leader in Human Resources services from 1 June.

The board of directors has appointed German national Juergen Steinemann to the position of CEO of Barry Callebaut, effective 1 August.

De Maeseneire says, “During seven intensive years I had the privilege to work with a passionate team. Together we have been able to develop Barry Callebaut into a global company, nearly doubling its sales as well as the number of factories. I have come to the conclusion that a CEO change would now be good for Barry Callebaut and for me. Therefore, I informed the Board of Directors early on of my decision not to renew my contract, which would have expired at the end of 2009.”

Juergen B. Steinemann has served as COO of Nutreco Agriculture since 2001. Nutreco is an international animal nutrition and fish feed company with annual sales of €5 billion in 2008, over 100 production and processing plants in more than 30 countries and about 9,300 employees.

Andreas Jacobs, chairman of the Barry Callebaut board, notes, “Barry Callebaut wishes to thank Patrick De Maeseneire for his outstanding contribution to shaping Barry Callebaut. Since joining Barry Callebaut in June 2002, he has worked relentlessly and successfully on implementing our strategy based on geographic expansion, innovation and cost leadership. This is why Barry Callebaut today has a well-balanced geographic footprint with a strong presence in emerging markets, a broadly diversified product portfolio and a strong position as the outsourcing partner of choice for the entire food industry. Jacobs will act as CEO of the company ad interim.

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