FDBusiness.com

Danone has appointed Bridgette Heller as Executive Vice President of its Early Life Nutrition business and as a member of the group’s Executive Committee with effect from July 1, 2016. She takes over from Felix Martin Garcia, who has led the development of this business for nearly six years.

Over the past 17 years, Bridgette Heller has held a range of positions, starting with Kraft Foods and moving on to serve as Global President for Johnson & Johnson, Baby Care, before becoming President, Consumer Care, for Merck.

Bridgette Heller.

Backed by very solid international experience, she has developed expertise in both FMCG and Healthcare that offers a perfect fit with the specific needs and challenges involved in growing the Early Life Nutrition business.

Danone CEO Emmanuel Faber, CEO of Danone, says: “I would first like to salute and thank Felix Martin Garcia for his contributions to Danone’s growth in the key positions he’s held for 18 years. Let me refer in particular to the past few years, when he successfully led our Early Life Nutrition division—now our second business by sales. His loyalty, commitment, energy and talent are acknowledged and appreciated by one and all. Bridgette Heller is a proven leader with impressive experience who, throughout her career, has demonstrated a unique ability to engage her teams. I believe that passing the baton to her will ensure continued success for our category.”

In 2015, the Early Life Nutrition division generated sales of nearly €5 billion, reporting Danone’s strongest growth (nearly 10%) and operating margin (19%).