Mars Wrigley announces Marc Carena as regional president for Europe, CIS & Turkey

Mars Wrigley has made a key regional appointment in naming Marc Carena as its Regional President for Europe, CIS & Turkey, writes Neill Barston.

He joins the confectionery giant from McDonald’s Russia, where he has spent almost four years as Managing Director, where he was responsible for the regional market including over 850 restaurants and 65,000 employees.

Carena succeeds regional president Shaid Shah, who held the post for six years, and is now serving as Mars Wrigley’s Global President of Food, Multisales and Global Customers.

Among his career highlights, the company’s new regional president had spent six and a half years in senior general management and marketing positions in the German retailer Metro Group, with his last position being Chief Executive Officer of Metro Cash & Carry Croatia, driving the organisation’s nationwide business performance and strategy. Marc has also held several senior general manager, marketing and sales positions at Nestlé across Europe, Asia and Africa.

Carena said: “I’m humbled to be joining a team that has such passion and energy, and a company which has already built a legacy of pioneering innovation and a leading portfolio of household brands. It is a dynamic period of growth for the region, and I am excited about advancing this industry-leading work with our talented Associates across our entire regional portfolio.”

As the company noted, Marc will bring his extensive experience in retail, foodservice and FMCG to help enhance and drive Mars Wrigley’s strategy for purpose-led growth across Europe, CIS and Turkey. Passionate about championing employees and their development, he is looking forward to engaging with the Mars Associate concept and the central importance the business places on ensuring this is a company people want to join, stay and grow with.

Andrew Clarke, Global President of Mars Wrigley, added: “Marc is a much-welcomed addition to the Mars Wrigley leadership team. He brings a wealth of industry expertise and has a proven track record of dynamic and enthusiastic leadership, building talented teams and delivering results across diverse markets. As our presence across Europe, CIS & Turkey continues to go from strength to strength, I’m confident that Marc’s innovative, energetic and collaborative mindset will help our team to reach even greater heights in the near future.”