French dairy cooperative Sodiaal has appointed former Danone and Mondelez International executive Antoine Collette as its new CEO.
Collette started his new position today (4 July), succeeding Jorge Boucas, who stepped down in February after six years at the helm to join France-based sugar co-op Tereos as its CEO.
Between 2019 and last year, Colette led Henkel’s beauty care business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Colette’s career also includes 11 years at Mondelez International, where his roles included president of the Oreo maker’s biscuits business in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.
Between 2000 and 2007, he worked at Danone, including as product manager for the European business for the Lu biscuit brand the French giant then owned.
“The board of directors has given Colette the mandate to build and implement the Sodiaal strategic plan, combining economic performance and environmental performance,” Sodiaal said in a statement. “The latter will aim to accelerate the agro-ecological transition of the cooperative, while offering new, high-value outlets to ensure fair wages for its 16,000 farmers. Collette will also be responsible for adapting industrial sites to environmental challenges and operational requirements while ensuring the safety of employees.”
Sodiaal, headquartered in Paris, has 61 sites including dairy sites, butter mills, cheese mills, and other processing and management facilities.
It generated a turnover of €5.5bn ($6bn) turnover in 2022, according to the company’s annual report.
Sodiaal’s portfolio includes cheese brands such as La Rustique and EntreMont, as well as milk and cream brands such as Candia, Candia Baby, and GrandLait.
It has 12 subsidiaries and commercial offices and exports to more than 20 countries.
