Former Nestlé and Unilever executive Peter Amon is set to become the new CEO of Germany food and drink group Laurens Spethmann Holding (LSH).

Amon will take up the role from 1 April at the family-owned business and will also hold the position of board chair, alongside Ingo Steinbach, Christoph Osegowitsch, and Michael and Jochen Spethmann, LSH said in a statement.

Previous CEO Lars Wagener left LSH last year to join Germany-based fruit juice supplier Eckes-Granini at the start of 2024, according to local media reports.

LSH was founded in 1907 and supplies the European markets with products ranging from breakfast cereal and bars to dried nuts and fruit, and tea. The company offers branded and private-label products and also serves the foodservice and B2B channels.

Amon “will lead LSH into the future and continue the positive development of the traditional family business”, the company, which is based in Seevetal, near Hamburg, said.

The incoming CEO and chair’s most recent position was executive director of investor-backed More-Than-Meals in Luxembourg. That business houses Abbelen, a German manufacturer of ready-made private-label burgers. Under the same umbrella is Oscar Mayer, the UK-based producer of chilled ready meals.

Both Abbelen and Oscar Mayer are backed by Germany-based private-equity firm Deutsche Beteiligungs (DBAG).

Before overseeing the Abbelen business, Amon also served as head of global food at Nestlé’s Professional, or the food giant's foodservice division. Prior to that he was also a managing director for Unilever in Germany.

According to Amon’s LinkedIn profile, he has also been an adviser to plant-based business The Live Kindly Collective and German bio-tech company Infinite Roots.

Michael Spethmann said: “In the currently very dynamic market environment, he [Amon] will use LSH's opportunities in the various business areas consistently and with a long-term approach.

“Peter Amon knows all retail sales channels in Germany and Europe. He has many years of experience in sales and marketing.”

LSH has 12 subsidiaries under its umbrella, including muesli bar makers Nutrisun and Schock and breakfast cereals supplier Nordgetreide.

It holds a 50% stake in Nordgetreide and also has the same holding in the Fruitwork investment company, which in turn owns the nuts and dried fruits business Nutwork, according to the LSH website.