Industry Movers: Kerry Group, Tate & Lyle and the UKNHCC

First up, Ireland-based nutrition firm Kerry Group has welcomed Thomas Hahlin Ahlinder to the role of President and CEO, Taste & Nutrition, Europe.

The move follows the group’s recent announcement in which former President and CEO, Malcolm Sheil, steps into the role of Chief Commercial Officer.

Prior to joining Kerry, Ahlinder’s was an Executive Board Member at Döhler. His previous roles across Europe inlvude positions at Danisco, Kivik Holdings and DuPont Nutrition and Health.

“I am delighted to welcome Thomas to this key leadership role as we work towards our vision of being our customers’ most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition,”​ says Gerry Behan, CEO of Kerry Taste & Nutrition

“Our Europe region saw a significant improvement in the third quarter of this year with strong growth and business development across several areas including plant-based alternatives, snacks and the retail channel.”​

“I am thrilled to be joining Kerry and excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,”​ adds Ahlinder.

“Kerry is a company with a rich history of market-driven and customer-connected innovation, a true leader in the taste and nutrition space and I look forward to working with the team on the next phase of growth.”​

Tate & Lyle hire​

Meanwhile, Tate & Lyle has appointed Victoria Spadaro Grant as the firm’s President of Innovation and Commercial Development as well as welcoming her as member of its Executive Committee.

Her role will see her lead the firm’s global strategy on product application and technical services as well as directing its scientific, nutrition and regulatory affairs.

Spadaro Grant will also be tasked with delivering Tate & Lyle’s R&D strategy in collaboration with global business divisions and external partners.

“I am thrilled to be joining Tate & Lyle and excited about the challenges that lie ahead,”​ says Spadaro Grant.

“Tate & Lyle is a company with a rich history of innovation, and has many talented scientists, and I look forward to working with Nick and the team to take the Company to the next stage of its development.”​

Spadaro Grant commences her role having held senior R&D roles with food-focused firms that include Mars Chocolate, Kraft Heinz and PepsiCo.

Tate & Lyle’s Chief Executive Nick Hampton adds, “Innovation is central to our growth strategy and so we are delighted to welcome someone of Victoria’s experience and quality to Tate & Lyle. ​

“Her extensive R&D knowledge and strong customer-facing expertise will be of great benefit to us as we look to deliver on our growth ambitions.”​

UKNHCC appointments​

Finally, the newly formed UK Nutrition and Health Claims Committee (UKNHCC), has revealed the appointment of eight independent experts to its ranks effective from 1 Jan onwards.

The UKNHCC will replace the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) post-Brexit.

The Committee’s main responsibility will be to provide evidence-based scientific opinions to the UK government on new nutrition and health claims made within England, Scotland, and Wales.

The members of the UKNHCC include the Chair, Professor Sue Fairweather-Tait, Professor of Human Nutrition, Norwich Medical School, the University of East Anglia.

The UKNHCC also welcomes Dr Robert Boyle, Clinical Reader in Paediatric Allergy at Imperial College London, and Associate Professor of Evidence-Based Dermatology at the University of Nottingham.

Also joining the line up are Professor Judy Buttriss, Director General of the British Nutrition Foundation and Dr Francesca Crowe, Research Fellow at the Institute of Applied Health Research at the University of Birmingham.