Sara Lee Searches For New Head
US and international food and beverage group Sara Lee has announced that Brenda Barnes is stepping down permanently from the positions of chairman and chief executive so she can continue to focus on improving her health. In addition, she has resigned from Sara Lee’s board of directors and will not stand for re-election at the company’s 2010 annual stockholders meeting in October. Brenda Barnes had been on medical leave since May 14th, 2010 after suffering a stroke. She became chief executive in 2005.
Sara Lee’s board has initiated a process to select a new chief executive officer, looking at both internal and external candidates. During the process, Marcel Smits will continue as interim chief executive and Mark Garvey will continue as interim chief financial officer. James Crown, an independent director, will remain chairman of the board, a role he assumed when Brenda Barnes’ leave of absence began.
