The Association of Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionery Industries of Europe (CAOBISCO) has a new president.

 

Mary Barnard, president of Mondelēz International’s Chocolate Europe division, was appointed to a two-year term at the association’s helm during a recent General Assembly in Otranto, Italy. She succeeds Alessandro Cagli, director of Ferrero Group’s EU Public Affairs Office. Cagli has become CAOBISCO’s vice president.

 

“I am honored to be elected to this position, and I thank the national associations and their members for their trust,” Barnard said. “CAOBISCO represents business of all sizes and thus plays an essential role for our industry in actively promoting the sector and its interests. I look forward to engaging with CAOBISCO members and other stakeholders in the months ahead.”

 

Areas of focus for Barnard’s two-year term include contributing on behalf of the industry to the debate on mindful consumption and the benefits of providing a wide range of options for consumers, as well as continuing to advocate for the industry in Brussels and, through national associations, across member states. 

 

Barnard joined Mondelēz in 2014 as the managing director for the Nordic region and later assumed a commercial role in the Northern Europe. During her tenure, Barnard was a board member for the U.K. Food and Drink Federation and represented Mondelēz in talks with U.K. and Nordic governments. Before Mondelēz, she worked for 16 years at PepsiCo in both management and commercial positions.

 

Barnard started her career in the U.K. with an eight-year stint at Rank Hovis McDougall, where she worked in both the milling and baking divisions. She graduated from the University of Manchester.

 

“It’s an exciting time to take on this position as our industry adapts to changing consumer expectations and a dynamic policy environment,” Barnard said. “As confectioners, chocolate-makers and bakers, we have a unique story to tell about the enjoyment and nourishment we provide to consumers across the continent, and how we create value and opportunities across the supply chain in Europe, and beyond.”

 

Established in Paris in 1959, CAOBISCO is an advocacy organization for the European confectionery industry with the goal of promoting the importance of confectionery manufacturers in the European economy.