Hein Schumacher will take on the position of CEO, effective 26 January. He succeeds Peter Feld, who assumed the role in April 2023 after Peter Boone’s abrupt departure.
Feld is said to be leaving to pursue other career opportunities but will remain available to Barry Callebaut for a transitional period. His exit comes as the business’s ‘BC Next Level’ transformation programme - a growth plan with CHF 500 million behind it - is almost complete.
“It is a good time to pass the baton to Hein,” Feld said. “I do this with pride and gratitude to all who contributed. Barry Callebaut’s future is in good hands with Hein, and I wish Hein all the best in his new role.”
Schumacher brings more than 25 years of experience in food to Barry Callebaut, including his two-year stretch as Unilever’s CEO.
Prior to this, he held key leadership positions at Royal FrieslandCampina, one of the world’s largest dairy cooperatives with 50% of their revenues in B2B. Here, he served as both CEO (2017-2023) leading the business through Covid and a major restructuring initiative which saw the company’s revenue take a significant step up, as well as CFO (2015-2017).
Barry Callebaut’s leadership reshuffle follows a difficult time for the cocoa industry which has seen unprecedented disruption due to climate change. Its 2024/25 full results also blames a shift in consumer behaviour which it says has resulted in ‘consumption softness’.
The results show group sales volume decreased 6.8%, with global chocolate witnessing a 5.3% fall and global cocoa a 12.8% drop. The decline in volumes was also impacted by the firm’s decision to prioritise higher return segments and geographies in global cocoa and the temporary suspension of production in St. Hyacinthe, Canada.
On a positive note, cocoa bean prices have reduced further since the start of the year and the crop is developing in line with Barry Callebaut’s expectations. Peter Vanneste, CFO for the chocolate and cocoa giant has said its priorities for FY 2025/26 is to “prepare for a return to growth and to further deleverage”.
Incoming CEO Schumacher said Barry Callebaut is at “exciting juncture” following this period of “unprecedented market turbulence”.
He continued: “While the business continues to navigate market and volume pressures, we have a clear opportunity to return to growth, to strengthen our culture and to deliver a step-up in our business performance.
“I look forward to working with the Barry Callebaut team to delight our customers, strengthen the balance sheet and deliver sustainable long-term value for all our stakeholders.”
Commenting, Patrick De Maeseneire, chairman of Barry Callebaut Group, said Schumacher is “the right leader at this stage to chart Barry Callebaut’s next phase of increased customer focus, winning culture and financial strength".
