World Cocoa Foundation names Chris Vincent as chairman ahead of partnership meeting

Chris Vincent has been named as the World Cocoa Foundation’s new new president, having taken on the role on an interim basis this summer, reports Neill Barston.

He succeeds Martin Short, who served in post for just under a year until this August, before unexpectedly announcing his departure from the global industry organisation – which holds its annual partnership meeting this week.

In addition to Vincent’s confirmation as permanent president,Peter Boone, CEO of Barry Callebaut, has become the Washington-based industry foundation’s new chairman. They were both appointed following a vote by the WCF’s board.

Boone succeeds Barry Parkin, Chief Procurement and Sustainability Officer, of Mars Incorporated, who led the non-profit’s Board for eight years. Parkin will continue to serve at the Foundation as a Board Member, representing his company.

“I am excited about becoming the new President of the World Cocoa Foundation and look forward to working with our partners in government, industry, civil society and farming communities to increase the pace at which we bring greater sustainability to the cocoa sector,” said Vincent.

“It is a huge vote of confidence in WCF to have someone with Peter’s seniority and experience becoming our new chairman and we are enormously grateful to Barry Parkin for his service over the last eight years.”

The Board also appointed two new Board Officers: Tricia Brannigan, Chief Procurement Officer and Vice President Global Procurement at The Hershey Company; and Peter Blommer, Vice Chairman of Blommer. Christine McGrath, Vice President and Chief of Global Impact, Sustainability, and Well-being, at Mondelēz International, remains as a Board Officer for another term.

“With both cocoa origin countries and cocoa consuming countries implementing new initiatives for a sustainable cocoa supply chain, this is a unique time for forging a shared vision. I am honored to have been elected chairman of the World Cocoa Foundation, as it is uniquely placed to be a constructive partner on behalf of the cocoa and chocolate industry in crafting this vision,” said Boone.

“I’m pleased that during my time as Chairman at the Foundation we have seen an unprecedented increase in industry wide collaboration, most notably with the launch of the Cocoa & Forests Initiative,” added Parkin. “I know that under Peter this work will go on to even greater achievements.” The new WCF Board officers replace two outgoing officers: Gerry Manley, Chief Executive Officer of Olam Cocoa, and Steven Retzlaff, President Global Cocoa at Barry Callebaut.