PEOPLE - Brief Article

Eurofood, March 29, 2001

Health food firm Wild Oats Markets of the US has named Perry Odak as its chief executive officer, replacing Mike Gilliand. Gilliand, also co-founder of the health food retailer, will remain on Wild Oats Markets' board of directors. Odak is a former chief executive of ice cream producer Ben & Jerry's.

Kraft Foods North America has appointed Eric Leininger to the position of senior vice president marketing services.

Kraft Foods International has named Maurizio Calenti group vice president Kraft Foods International and president for central and eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. Calenti will report to Roger Deromedi, president and chief executive officer of Kraft Foods International.

US chocolate producer Hershey Foods has named Richard Lenny as its new president and chief executive officer. Lenny will replace Kenneth Wolfe who has been chief executive since 1994. Lenny has previously worked for Kraft Foods and Nabisco.

Food inspection and detection systems specialist Spectral Fusion Technologies (SFT) has appointed Mark Gamble as production manager.

Philip Morris food unit Kraft Foods has named Michael Polk to head up its Nabisco biscuit and snack unit. Polk is replacing Richard Lenny who is leaving to join Hershey Foods.

Mario A. Corti, chief financial officer at Swiss food and drink giant Nestle has resigned from his position having been elected chairman and chief executive officer at SairGroup. Nestle has stated that it will offer cooperation facilitating the transition. The Swiss firm also said that at the next directors meeting, it will propose that Wolfgang Reichenberger, formerly senior vice president finance, and presently head of the Japanese activities, be named executive vice president of finance and control division, and chief financial officer of Nestle.

President of McDonald's USA Alan Feldman has announced that Paul Saber, a McDonald's franchisee and chairman of the national leadership council of owners will join McDonald's USA as a senior vice president.

Michael J. Teale has decided to retire from his position of executive vice president and assistant to the chairman of Kellogg following a 35-year career at Kellogg. Teale joined Kellogg back in 1966 in Manchester, UK. UK group CityCentreRestaurants has announced Henry King is retiring as its non-executive chairman. King, who has been with CityCentreRestaurants since 1986, will remain as a non-executive director until July 2001. The UK concern has named Alan Jackson as his replacement. Jackson has previously occupied positions at Whitbread and played an integral part in the development of the Beefeater, Travel Inns and TGI Friday brands.

Vegetable supply company Frederick Hiam has named Derek Little as its commercial director. Also at the firm Helen Redfearn has been appointed to the position of technical manager and Colin Harris to the position of production director.

UK Food Standards Agency chairman, Sir John Krebbs has announced the re-appointment of Professor Douglas Georgala as chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF). Georgala's current term as chairman ends on 31 March 2001. His re-appointment to the position means the new term will commence 1 April 2001 for the duration of three years.

UK biscuit manufacturer United Biscuits has named Colin Hutchison as McVitie's deputy managing director, biscuits UK and export. Hutchison joined United Biscuits as a graduate trainee in 1979.

UK coffee chain Coffee Republic has a new chief executive as its founding brother and sister step down from the firm, as Peter Morris takes over the reigns. Bobby Hashemi and his sister Sahar Hashemi are leaving their positions as chief executive and creative director at the firm, although Mr. Hashemi will remain as a non-executive director. He also owns around 4% of Coffee Republic's shares. Morris has prevously been at the helm of the UK Walt Disney Company, and during a successful time with Dixons, helped develop The Link and PC World. Part of Morris's brief will be to look at the possibility of taking Coffee Republic abroad.

At its annual general meeting this month, the Association of Bakery Ingredient Manufacturers (ABIM) announced that it has elected a new executive team for the next two years. Leading the team will be John Dryden, managing director at Croda Foods, who is association president. Dryden will be supported by David Bevan of Fermex International who is first vice president, and Dr. Mike Chell of DSM Bakery Ingredients is second vice president. John Gillespie will continue to serve on the executive committee as immediate past president. Gillespie works for Macphie of Glenbervie.