Danone UK & Ireland appoints James Mayer as president
The changes are the culmination of Danone’s global Local First project, first announced in November 2020 to help deliver greater business impact and drive sustainable growth.
The new structure is designed to ensure that Danone UK & Ireland offers a more localised approach that best meets market and consumer needs and taps into growth in areas such as healthy ageing and plant-based alternatives. Danone UK & Ireland brands include Alpro, Activia, Actimel, Evian, Harrogate, Volvic, Aptamil, and Cow & Gate.
Mayer takes the helm after more than 17 years at Danone, alongside a new leadership team of nine vice presidents. Previously senior vice president, specialised nutrition for Europe and North America, Mayer has managed and integrated divisions across 23 markets and led a team of nine zone general managers.
Prior roles
His prior roles at Danone have included managing director for its UK Early Life Nutrition business and global commercial vice president, Early Life Nutrition.
Danone UK & Ireland plans to build on this footprint and capitalise on growth opportunities by investing in its research, innovation, and digital capabilities, as well as brands, products, and services to further strengthen its market-leading position. Combining scientific and health expertise from around the world with strong local insights and top brands, Danone will continue to support healthy and sustainable lifestyles among consumers and patients in the UK & Ireland.
Danone is progressing towards full B Corp certification across all its legal entities in the UK & Ireland– with its Waters, Dairy, Alpro and Harrogate Water divisions already B Corp accredited. The company is on track to certify all its operations around the globe as B Corp by 2025, which will make it one of the world’s biggest B Corps – demonstrating a proven commitment to using its business as a force for good.
What is B Corp Certification?
Certified B Corporations are new kinds of businesses that balance purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This is a community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using business as a force for good.
“Bringing together our category expertise will enable us to explore existing growth areas, as well as maximising new opportunities like the plant-based sector," said Mayer. "By seeking new ways to promote healthier diets, we will drive sustainable growth through an even stronger portfolio of purpose-driven products, brands and services.”
“Using our business as a force for good has always been in Danone’s DNA, and we remain committed to offering health through food for as many people as possible. Our ‘One Planet. One Health’ framework reflects our belief that the health of people and planet are interconnected – and we know we must continuously strive to empower consumers to make the best choices for themselves and the planet.”
