Max Koeune will serve alongside Ken Murphy, group CEO of Tesco, with the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) saying they will jointly help to spearhead its role in driving better lives through better business.
Koeune replaces Ramon Laguarta, chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, who recently chose to step down from his co-chair role.
The CGF brings together CEOs from more than 400 member companies across 70 countries – including Ahold Delhaize, Carrefour, Mondelēz International, Nestlé, and Unilever.
McCain Foods is already an active member of the CGF, participating in three Coalitions of Action – the Climate Transition, Food Waste, and Plastic Waste Coalitions, contributing industry insights and shaping collaborative responses to shared challenges and opportunities across the consumer goods sector.
Additionally, Koeune has been the co-sponsor of the Food Waste Coalition for the past five years.
The McCain boss began his career in 1995 with Baring Brothers, where he was an M&A specialist. He held various roles at the Danone Group, which he joined in 1998. By 2008, he was appointed finance vice president of the Americas Beverages division at Danone, before becoming group head of corporate development in 2009. He joined McCain Foods Limited as CFO in 2013, and became president and CEO in 2017.
Koeune said: “At McCain, we believe food plays an important role in people’s lives, with the power to bring individuals, families, and communities together. It is an honour to join Ken as co-chair of The Consumer Goods Forum. I look forward to collaborating with leaders across the CGF’s global network to champion innovation and create positive impact at scale.”
Wai-Chan Chan, managing director of CGF, added: “McCain Foods brings deep industry expertise and Max’s insights will be instrumental in helping guide our efforts. With the Co-Chairs’ strategic direction, I look forward to the CGF continuing its mission as a catalyst for meaningful progress across the consumer goods industry.”
