US group Amplify Snack Brands has hired two WhiteWave Foods executives to become its new chief financial officer and chief operating officer.
The SkinnyPop popcorn and Tyrrells crisps owner has appointed Greg Christenson as CFO and Craig Shiesley as COO. Shiesley will also be president of Amplify’s North American business.
Amplify described the men as “industry veterans with a proven track record of growth”.
Christenson was most recently CFO at WhiteWave, the US-based dairy and dairy-free business acquired by Danone earlier this year. Before joining WhiteWave, Christenson was CFO at US jerky snacks maker Oberto Brands. He previously spent 14 years at the former Kraft Foods in several financial leadership and corporate roles.
Shiesley was most recently president of WhiteWave’s Vega Nutritionals arm. WhiteWave acquired Canada-based dairy-free firm Vega in 2015. He joined WhiteWave in 2008 after two decades at household cleaning products group SC Johnson.
Amplify’s president and CEO, Tom Ennis, said the company was “very excited to welcome Greg and Craig to our team”.
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By GlobalDataEnnis added: “Both bring an extensive depth of experience across high-growth oriented, international consumer products companies.
“Greg is a well regarded public company financial executive with significant leadership experience managing all financial and accounting functions, driving business performance.
“He will be a strong asset to our team and a fantastic business partner.
“Craig is a talented international CPG executive with a successful track record of transforming categories and creating large scale better-for-you brands across multiple sales channels and geographies, and we look forward to his strategic contributions as we build upon our growth potential globally.
“I am particularly excited about their experience at WhiteWave, where they grew a business that was at a similar stage in the development curve to Amplify.
“I am confident they will help us execute on our long-term plan of growing into a multi-billion dollar global better-for-you snack food company.”
Brian Goldberg, Amplify’s current CFO, will move into the newly-created role of chief strategy officer and executive vice president for corporate development. Goldberg will primarily focus on areas including corporate strategy, “strategic partnerships” and M&A.
Last month, Amplify lowered its forecasts for annual sales and underlying EBITDA amid challenges in the US and the UK.
Ennis said Amplify was “encouraged” by its first-half performance – which included higher sales and lower profits – but indicated trading conditions on both sides of the Atlantic meant it was cutting its estimates for full-year net sales and adjusted EBITDA.
Alongside the results, Amplify said Ben Clarke, the former CEO of UK biscuit maker Burton’s Biscuit Co., had agreed to join its board. Clarke joined the business earlier this year after the departure of the president of the company’s international business, David Milner.
