Danone appoints Antoine de Saint-Affrique as CEO

Saint-Affrique joins Danone from the global chocolate maker and cocoa processor, Barry Callebaut

Danone has appointed Antoine de Saint-Affrique as Chief Executive Officer, effective September 15, 2021. The Board of Directors decided to propose Antoine de Saint-Affrique as a new member to the Board of Danone for an appointment at the next annual shareholders’ meeting in April 2022.

Saint-Affrique joins Danone from the global chocolate maker and cocoa processor, Barry Callebaut, where he was appointed CEO in October 2015. Before Barry Callebaut, Saint-Affrique held a series of senior executive positions at global consumer goods company Unilever, where he notably led the Foods division.

Gilles Schnepp, Chairman, said, “The Board is confident that Saint-Affrique, together with the rest of the leadership team, will deliver sustainable value for shareholders, and all our stakeholders. He will have all the room and resources a CEO can have to best assess and direct Danone’s strategy for the future.”

Saint-Affrique said, “I am proud and honoured to join and soon lead a company which has always been an inspiration for me. I have tremendous admiration for Danone’s rich heritage and pioneering spirit in all fields: its strong and innovative portfolio of brands that have brought health through food to people around the world for so long; the dual social and economic project which has been at the heart of the company’s purpose for decades; and its strong and unique people culture which respects both diversity and inclusivity.”