Freshfel Europe, the European Fresh Produce Association, held on 15-16 April 2026 its statutory annual general assembly meeting (AGM) in Sicily, marking a moment of transition, reflection, and renewed ambition for the sector after 25 years of activities while appointing its 2026-2028 term Board.

The AGM marked the 25th Anniversary of Freshfel Europe. It was the opportunity to review achievements, pending duties and set direction for the upcoming years. This year’s event also concluded the four-year mandate of Freshfel Europe President Salvo Laudani, who led the association through a particularly challenging period shaped by climate volatility, economic pressures, regulatory complexity and geopolitical instability.

During Salvo Laudani’s presidency, the sector faced and adapted to multiple challenges. Freshfel Europe strengthened the position of fresh produce as part of the solution to major societal challenges, notably in health and sustainability. Freshfel Europe also relentlessly called for rectifying some fresh produce image misperceptions while seeking greater recognition by policymakers and consumers of the unique and essential assets of fresh produce. Reflecting on his 4-year mandate, Salvo Laudani stated: “It has been a privilege to serve this great and fascinating sector. I leave my position as President with pride in what we have accomplished together in Freshfel Europe. Given the unique value of fresh produce, the sector must look ahead with optimism.”

Freshfel Europe’s General Delegate, Philippe Binard, presented the association’s Activity Report, outlining key achievements and the measurable impact of the Association’s work over the past year and in the context of the last 25 years. The report highlighted Freshfel Europe’s role in delivering transparent, accountable, and member-driven actions aligned with sector priorities. Commenting on the association’s work, Philippe Binard emphasised the importance of continued engagement of the sector with a single voice: “Freshfel Europe’s actions were driven by clear priorities and capacity to adapt as the sector is operating in a context of constant uncertainty, from climate pressures to geopolitical disruption or regulatory complexity and rising costs impacting competitiveness. In this environment, Freshfel Europe has intensified its activity to ensure the sector is not only protected, but also better positioned to move forward and remain competitive to focus primarily on the main priority which is to significantly increase consumption”.

The General Assembly approved the appointment of a new Presidency and Board for the 2026–2028 term, ensuring continuity while reflecting the diversity of the sector across business segments and geographical areas. Frédéric Rosseneu (Greenyard) was elected as President of the Association and will be accompanied by Anders Lind (COOP Trading) as Treasurer, José Antonio Garcia (Ailimpo) and Richard Schouten (Dutch Fresh Produce Center) as Vice-Presidents. A board-at- large was also confirmed for the next two years to steer the association in the best interests of the sector from a supply chain perspective.

A key milestone of the AGM was the adoption of the Freshfel Europe Manifesto 2026–2030, setting out strategic priorities for the next five years. The Manifesto positions the fresh fruit and vegetable sector as a central solution for healthy diets, sustainable food systems and aims at strengthening the sector’s role within very competitive food markets. The Manifesto is also calling for stronger political recognition of fresh produce in policymaking through increased coordinated action within the fresh produce sector.

The Manifesto outlines key policy priorities including among other placing fruit and vegetables at the centre of EU policies based on a “fresh first” approach, driving consumption in line with health and sustainability guidelines, safeguarding competitiveness with the right toolbox for production within science-based and harmonised regulation. The Manifesto also underlines the need to strengthen the Single Market and ensuring fair trade conditions for international trade.

Freshfel Europe new President Frédéric Rosseneu stated: “This Manifesto provides clear and ambitious priorities to strengthen the role of the fresh produce sector in Europe, ensuring it delivers on health, sustainability and competitiveness in an increasingly complex business landscape.”

With a new leadership team and strategic priorities in place for Freshfel Europe’s leadership, Frédéric Rosseneu added: “Freshfel Europe enters its next chapter with renewed momentum. I look forward to collaborating with the Presidium, the newly elected Board and all the members implementing the Manifesto, mobilising the necessary resources to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and deliver impact for the sector in the years ahead”.

BENEO, a leading manufacturer of functional ingredients for food and pharma, announced the appointment of Dr Uwe Boltersdorf as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of BENEO GmbH, effective from 1st February 2026.

Uwe Boltersdorf completed his doctorate at the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT in Oberhausen after studying chemical engineering at the University of Dortmund. He benefits from more than 20 years of international management experience in the areas of production, process development and engineering following previous roles at Bayer AG, Lanxess AG, thyssenkrupp AG and Sulzer AG.

On 1st April 2025, Uwe Boltersdorf was appointed to the Executive Board of BENEO’s sister company CropEnergies AG, a manufacturer of renewable products from biomass, where he took on the role of Chief Operating Officer. In addition to being BENEO’s new COO, he will continue his existing role at CropEnergies AG. In his position at BENEO, he will be responsible for Operations including production, technology, supply chain management, quality, raw material, health, safety and environmental protection, as well as sustainability.

As BENEO’s new COO, he is succeeding Dr Mike Eberle who took over the role of CEO of the Sugar Division of Südzucker Group at the end of October 2025.

SIG announced that, following an extensive global search, its Board of Directors has appointed Mikko Keto as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. He is expected to join in the first half of 2026.

Mikko Keto, a Finnish citizen, joins SIG from FLSmidth, a multinational engineering company providing equipment, systems and services to the global mining industry.

Mr. Keto joined FLSmidth in 2021 as President of the Mining division prior to becoming Group CEO in 2022. As CEO, he executed a comprehensive business transformation, including a financial and operational reset, portfolio optimization involving both a major divestment and merger, as well as a global efficiency and cost-reduction program. Mr Keto doubled the value of FLSmidth during his tenure.

Prior to joining FLSmidth, Mr. Keto spent over nine years at Metso Corporation, latterly serving as President, Services and Pumps.

During his career, Mr. Keto has delivered business transformation across several companies including Nokia Networks, KONE Corporation, Metso Corporation, and FLSmidth. Since 2019, Mr. Keto has also served as a board director and member of the Audit Committee for the Normet Group.

Mr. Keto has a degree in M.Sc. (Economics) from the Helsinki School of Economics. He will be based at SIG’s headquarters in Switzerland.

Tropicana Brands Group (“TBG” or “the Company”), a leader in fresh and chilled beverages, has announced the appointment of Paul Chibe as Chief Executive Officer, effective today. Glen Walter will remain with the Company in an advisory role through the end of the year.

Mr. Chibe brings more than 25 years of consumer goods and beverage industry leadership experience to TBG. He most recently served as CEO of Pabst Brewing Company, one of North America’s largest privately held brewing companies. Previously, he was President and CEO of Ferrero North America, U.S. Chief Marketing Officer at Anheuser-Busch InBev, and held senior leadership positions at Wrigley.

Throughout his career, Mr. Chibe has demonstrated exceptional ability to strengthen brand portfolios, accelerate business performance, and build high-performing teams. His achievements include launching successful innovations at Anheuser-Busch InBev, expanding Ferrero’s North American presence, and driving significant growth at Pabst.

Premium fruit and vegetable ingredients supplier SVZ announced the appointment of Johan Cerstiaens as its new Managing Director, effective immediately. He succeeds Pieter Spanjers, who is stepping down after five years of dedicated service. In his new role, Johan will oversee operations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Poland.

Johan brings more than 25 years of business experience in the food and beverage industry, including 12 years at SVZ, where he served as Sales Director first and subsequently Commercial Director. During this time, he established strategic commercial partnerships and strengthened SVZ’s presence in key European and Asian markets. As Managing Director, Johan will continue to lead the commercial team, ensuring continuity in customer and supplier relationships, while driving the company’s long-term growth strategy.

Refresco, a global independent beverage solutions provider, announces that Steve Presley has been appointed as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, effective August 4, 2025. Steve will also join Refresco’s Executive Board.

Steve is a transformative leader with a strong track record of delivering accelerated growth and substantial value creation. With nearly 30 years of experience at Nestlé, a global food and beverage company, Steve fostered a high-performance, results-driven culture that empowered teams and propelled organisational success across complex, global operations.

Throughout his tenure at Nestlé, Steve held a series of roles of increasing responsibility spanning executive leadership, operations, manufacturing, corporate strategy and finance, providing him a comprehensive perspective on end-to-end business performance. Most recently, he served as Nestlé’s Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Zone Americas, overseeing the company’s North America and Latin America operations from corporate headquarters in Switzerland. In this role, he managed over 100,000 employees across 24 countries and a network of over 120 manufacturing and distribution facilities across 20 product categories.

About Steve Presley
Steve Presley is an accomplished senior executive with more than three decades of experience in the food and beverage industry. Over a distinguished 28-year career at Nestlé, he held a series of senior leadership roles, and most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Zone Americas (2025),
representing the company’s Latin America and North America operations. Prior roles included Nestlé Executive Board member (2021–2025), Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé North America (2022-2025), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé USA (2018-2022) and Chief Financial Officer of Nestlé USA (2013-2018).
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Steve has held senior leadership roles at industry organizations. He currently serves as Ex Chair of the Supplier Committee for the Food Manufacturing Institute and chairs the Global Leadership Council Advisory Board for the University of South Florida.
Steve began his career at Nestlé in 1997 as Factory Controller for the Beverage Division, following financial roles at The Hershey Company. He holds a Bachelor of Accounting from the University of South Florida and is a Certified Public Accountant (State of Tennessee).

Barentz, a leading global specialty ingredients solutions provider, announces that Derk Jan Terhorst was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 January 2025. Derk Jan will take over from Terry Hill who served as Interim CEO since May 2024.

Derk Jan brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been with Barentz for more than three years as Group CFO. During this time, Derk Jan demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision, playing a key role in formulating Barentz strategy and driving other important initiatives. Prior to joining Barentz, Derk Jan held senior management positions in Ahold Delhaize and Tony’s Chocolonely, gaining significant expertise in international financial management, with experience spanning Europe and the USA.

A new CFO has been selected and will start on 1 May, 2025. Until then, Derk Jan will continue to assume CFO responsibilities.

Treatt announced the appointment of David Shannon as Group Chief Executive Officer and a Director effective on 3rd June 2024.

David joins Treatt from Croda International Plc where he has held several senior roles, recently as President of Consumer Care and an Executive Committee member. He has extensive experience in selling specialty ingredients in the B2B environment for the Flavour and Fragrance, Personal Care, Pharmaceutical, and Agricultural industries worldwide.

David has a proven track record of sustainably growing businesses in dynamic markets. He has spent 13 years in various roles in the USA, a key market for Treatt, and has recently overseen a new manufacturing project in China. David’s experience includes global business management, setting and delivering strategy, optimising science and innovation to drive revenue growth, identifying new ways to maximise revenue and attracting, retaining, and developing employees. He has a degree in chemistry from Edinburgh University.

Britvic announced the appointment of Rémy Sharps as the Managing Director of Britvic Teissiere International, Britvic’s business unit which includes all operations in mainland Europe and all export markets. Rémy will succeed Hessel de Jong who will be stepping down from the company at the end of February, to focus on other opportunities.

Rémy spent 10 years with the Carlsberg group, working across numerous sales roles before being appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kronenbourg SAS, France’s leading brewer and subsidiary of the Carlsberg Group. With his team, he successfully led the company’s turnaround, accelerated the premium development of the brand portfolio, the widespread success of alcohol- free beers, including the launch of Tourtel Twist, and also initiated a real agroecological transition through the launch of the first responsible barley sector, for the 1664 brand.

Before this he acted as Chief Sales Officer for Carlsberg Group globally working across over 80 markets to transform sales and revenue growth, especially in China and Western Europe. Prior to joining the Carlsberg Group, he spent 19 years with the Colgate Palmolive Group in various sales and marketing roles.

Cargill announced Brian Sikes has been elected President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective Jan. 1, 2023. With this transition, Dave MacLennan will assume the role of Executive Chair of Cargill’s Board of Directors.

Sikes will be the 10th CEO in Cargill’s 157-year history and brings a strong track record of business operational rigor to the role, having grown the company’s global Protein and Salt enterprise into an industry leader. Sikes currently serves as Cargill’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), where he has been instrumental in constructing the company’s long-term strategy. With broad experience across multiple businesses, cycles and geographies, Sikes held leadership roles in the U.S., Canada and Europe, and served as the head of the company’s Talent Center of Expertise. His relentless focus on people and culture, customers, and proven expertise in leading growth and transformation have earned him the trust and respect of Cargill’s customers, employees and the Board.

Sikes will succeed MacLennan, who joined the company in 1991 and served in multiple executive roles, including CFO and COO, before becoming the company’s Chairman and CEO in 2013. During his nine years at the company’s helm, MacLennan helped achieve outstanding financial results while feeding millions of families and building community resilience in more than 125 countries worldwide. His long-term strategic vision and willingness to disrupt are exemplified by his leadership on the largest acquisitions in the company’s history, including Croda (bioindustrials), EWOS (aquaculture), Diamond V (animal nutrition), and Sanderson and Wayne Farms (poultry). In addition, the company built expertise in alternative proteins and has developed technologies and digital solutions to transform farming, supply chains and food delivery during his tenure.

MacLennan is passionate about employee well-being, never compromising worker health and safety for production. He created Cargill’s sustainability office and built a culture that prioritizes and celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. Under his leadership, the company is on a path to achieve gender parity by 2030 and the representation of women on the Executive Team has increased to 46%. In addition, he has been an industry leader in sustainability, particularly around climate change. He prioritized action, not just making commitments, with programs like RegenConnect™, which has advanced regenerative agriculture practices on 158,000 acres of North American farmland, and BeefUp Sustainability, which has reduced 1.7 million metric tons of CO2.

In his role as Executive Chair of the Board, MacLennan will ensure a smooth leadership transition, serve as a trusted strategic advisor to Sikes, the company and the Board and support Cargill’s long-term strategic plan.

Refresco Group B.V., the global independent beverage solutions provider for Global, National and Emerging (GNE) brands and retailers in Europe and North America, announces it has appointed Martha Zandbergen as Chief People and Legal Officer and Member of the Executive Committee.

CEO Refresco, Hans Roelofs: “People have been and always will be at the heart of our company. Today, we elevate our People agenda to the Executive Committee level, by appointing Martha as our first Chief People and Legal Officer. In addition to her continued focus on the Company’s legal matters, Martha will prioritize our People strategy across our entire footprint, while ensuring full alignment with our other strategic priorities.”

Martha Zandbergen said: “I am thrilled to take on the challenge of further strengthening our strategic People agenda. It really underscores the importance of integrating this into our long-term growth ambitions. Refresco aims to be an attractive employer where people can build a career with purpose, and where they can grow and develop. I look forward to working with the Executive Committee and our local teams, to continue to build on our value-based culture and make sure our people feel engaged and supported.”

Martha Zandbergen is a seasoned executive and has held several international roles over the past 20 years. Martha joined Refresco in 2015 and has been heading the Company’s legal function in her role as General Counsel and Company Secretary. Prior to joining Refresco, Martha was Legal Counsel at Shell for almost nine years. Martha holds a Law degree from Utrecht University, the Netherlands.

European Bioplastics, the association, representing the bioplastics industry in Europe, is pleased to announce the appointment of Maria Neguț as new Head of EU Affairs. She assumed her position on 14 March 2022 and will be based in Brussels.

European Bioplastics (EUBP) and its members are happy to welcome Maria Neguț on board of the EUBP team at this time of crucial importance. With the Green Deal casting its shadow ahead, setting up the path for the European Union’s transition to a real resource-efficient economy, bioplastics are poised to play a significant role.

Prior to joining European Bioplastics, Maria Neguț held several positions at the European Parliament and the European Commission. Most recently, she worked with the European Cocoa Association (ECA) where she served as EU Affairs Director Sustainability for over five years. Besides holding a Master’s degree in Political Sciences and European Affairs from the Université Libre de Bruxelles as well as a post-graduate degree in International Organizations from the European Academy of Diplomacy (EAD), she is also a recognised Certified Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner. Maria was an active member of the EU Commission’s Expert Group/Multi-Stakeholder Platform on Protecting and Restoring the World’s Forests, including the EU Timber Regulation and the FLEGT Regulation. In addition, she was a member of the CEN TC415 – tasked with the development of the first international standard ISO 34101 on sustainable and traceable cocoa. On a regular basis, Maria is contributing to think-thank projects and writing on topics linked to sustainability, energy, and EU policies.