Caobisco names key leadership team including new head and vice president positions
Can Buhrali has been appointed as the president of Caobisco, the European confectionery association. Pic: Mondelez
The new leadership team for Caobisco’s European chocolate, biscuits and confectionery has been revealed, with Can Buharali, of Mondelēz International, being named as its freshly elected president, and Aldo Cristiano of Ferrero and Tobias Bachmüller from Katjes Fassin occupying vice president roles, reports Neill Barston.
Its management troika, which will serve a two-year term, will lead the group’s work across the continent, which includes representing a host of businesses on major issues including advocating for reform of crucial EU sugar supply policy, global trading relations and pivotal legislation including the upcoming EUDR deforestation regulations.
Caobisco is set to join this year’s World Confectionery Conference on 12 September as a keynote speaker, returning as a founding industry partner for the event at a particularly notable point, as the sector continues to face key challenges around the world in terms of supply chain disruption and inflation that has impacted the sector.
The organisation now represents more than 14,000 businesses across Europe, from small artisan operations, through to major corporations, and has contributed a significant role in helping shape legislative policy for the region, as well as taking a lead on promoting responsible enjoyment of confectionery and snacks ranges.
Speaking after his election, Mr Can Buharali, said: “I am deeply honoured and grateful for the trust that Caobisco members have placed in me. I am committed to advancing our industry’s interests. I would like to extend my thanks to Aldo Cristiano for his outstanding leadership and dedication as the outgoing president. His contributions have been invaluable, and I aim to build upon the strong foundation he has established. Together, we will continue to advance our shared goals and drive the industry forward.”
Buharali is currently senior director for global public affairs at Mondelez. Previously, he served as regional director corporate and government affairs for the Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa (AMEA) Region out of Singapore.
He has also held commercial roles at Mondelez, leading export business as International Sales Director for local brands. Before joining the corporate world, he worked in consultancy and foreign affairs as a career diplomat, serving in Brussels and Tehran. Mr Bachmüller is Managing Shareholder of Katjes and has been involved in the Caobisco Troika for many years. Notably, he held the position of President from 2012 to 2014 and of Vice President from 2010-2012 and 2014-2016. Mr Bachmüller has been a members of the Executive Board of BDSI (Bundesverband der Deutschen Süsswarenindustrie e.V.) since 2001.
For his part, Aldo Cristiano (below) held the position of Caobisco President since 2020, and has previously spoken at our World Confectionery Conference. He was Board Member of the ICI (International Cocoa Initiative) from 2007-2016 and also member of the Consultative Board at the ICCO (International Cocoa Organisation).
Caobisco has revealed its latest senior management team, which includes Aldo Cristiano, of Ferrero (pictured recently at the World Cocoa Conference), as vice president. Pic: Neill Barston
Additionally, from 2012 to 2018 he served as a member of the Board of Directors at the WCF (World Cocoa Foundation) and from 2015 to 2018, as Chairman of the FCC (Federation of Cocoa Commerce). As Caobisco concluded, its newly formed leadership team has an combined extensive experience within the confectionery sector, is anticipated to make significant strides in furthering representing its industries on an international stage.
