FDBusiness.com

Building on the strength of its leadership team, pladis,  the global biscuit and confectionery company with operations in 130 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas, has appointed Dmitry Ivanov to the newly created global position of Chief Commercial Officer. Joining the company as part of the Executive Committee, Dmitry – also known as Dima – will bring together the Global Marketing, Digital and Research and Development teams to align them with a consumer-centric, commercial focus.

Commenting on the new appointment, Cem Karakas, CEO of pladis, says: “Dima’s appointment is a natural next step in our journey to build a commercial powerhouse. We are leading the change across our industry and transforming our company to be even more digital, brand and consumer focused. We are making new and much loved snacks faster and better than ever before, improving the field-to-shelf experience at every point.”

Dmitry Ivanov, Chief Commercial Officer at pladis.

Dima is a global marketing veteran having worked for blue chip FMCG businesses including P&G and PepsiCo, as well as Inchcape, a multinational automotive and services company. He has also worked with category disruptors such as RedBull and Bacardi, where he was responsible for relaunching the brand globally. Combining his general management experience in established institutions and the agility of disruptor brands, Dima will help pladis better connect the consumer and brand experience world to pladis’ commercial and executional agenda.

Dima’s appointment comes as Lale Saral Develioglu, Chief Marketing Officer, leaves the business to pursue other endeavours. Lale’s leadership over the last two years has been instrumental in building pladis and raising the bar in the company’s global strategic marketing execution. Dima will be based at pladis’s UK headquarters in Hayes.

With annual revenues of £2.2 billion, pladis has 34 factories in 13 countries and employs 26,000. The company, owned by Yildiz Holding, the largest food company in CEEMEA, was established in 2016 when United Biscuits, Ulker, Godiva Chocolatier and DeMet’s Candy Company united as one global business. The company combines three centuries of baking and confectionery expertise by bringing together its iconic Godiva, McVitie’s and Ulker brands.