Glanbia chief executive Mr Ned Sullivan has gone outside the company to hire a number of new senior managers, including a new chief executive to head up the group's business in the UK. Two of the new appointees are also former executives of IDV, the drinks subsidiary of Diageo from which Mr Sullivan himself was headhunted by Glanbia last year.
The appointment of what is virtually a brand new management team is seen in the industry as further evidence of Mr Sullivan exercising his influence over the group. Mr Sullivan took over as Glanbia chief executive at the beginning of April - a year earlier than had been planned - and since then has presided over a major rationalisation of the group, culminating in the sale of the British milk and Irish meat businesses.
Glanbia has hired Mr Robert Horvath as head of the group's British business, which has now been regrouped on a geographical rather than a product basis. This restructuring is a result of changes in the retail sector which have led to growing consolidation among the major multiples.
Mr Horvath has extensive sales, marketing and general management experience in the British and European fast-moving consumer goods markets. He joins Glanbia from Benckiser, the Dutch personal care and household products group, where he was general manager for Hungary. Previously, Mr Horvath spent almost eight years with Diageo.
The appointment of Mr Horvath follows the resignation in May of Mr Rory O'Mahony, the chief executive of Glanbia's consumer foods division. Mr O'Mahony resigned rather than relocate to the UK, citing "family and personal reasons". Glanbia has appointed Mr Kevin Toolan as group director of strategy and marketing, where he will also have responsibility for the Irish consumer foods business pending completion of Glanbia's reorganisation programme. Mr Toolan joined Glanbia from Coca Cola Molino Beverages in January, having previously worked for Diageo's subsidiaries, IDV and Bailey's.
Mr Fraser Tooley has been appointed director of marketing for Glanbia Ingredients, the group's dairy products division. He was previously commercial director of Domo Food Ingredients, the industrial ingredients arm of the giant Dutch co-op, Friesland Coberco.
Glanbia has also appointed Mr Graham Whiley as chief executive of Glanbia Food Service, which is one of the biggest chilled food distributors in the UK. He was previously managing director of Booker Foodservice Networks.
The appointment of the four senior managers follows a series of management departures at Glanbia. Apart from Mr O'Mahony, others who have left include Mr Eddie Powers of the meat division (since sold to Dawn Meats), former deputy managing director Mr Matt Walsh and, at sub-board level, corporate development manager Mr Gerry Hoey and former head of the Golden Foods mozzarrella business, Mr Denis O'Connor.
