Purdys Chocolatier announces ownership transition
Karen Flavelle started as executive VP of the company in 1994.
Scott McTavish. Courtesy of Purdys Chocolatier
On April 9, Karen Flavelle, chair, Purdys Chocolatier, announced on LinkedIn that she will be transitioning the mantle of active owner leadership of the brand to its managing director: her son Scott McTavish.
She says: "For 30 years, it has been my privilege to lead Purdys Chocolatier. It has been a privilege to share precious moments with our customers, milestones in your lives, traditions big and small, celebrations. Listening to our customers and reading between the lines has been my greatest joy—to surprise and delight with new recipes, new approaches, new packaging."
During Flavelle's tenure as chair (Jan. 2022 to present), CEO and chair (2011 to May 2022), president (1997-2011), and executive VP (1994-1997), she and the Purdys team have:
- Grown from 44 shops to over 88 across Canada
- Started with "some presence" in Alberta, Canada in 1994 and grew to being the largest group of chocolate shops in Canada, from BC to Ontario
- Added two sales channels, Chocolate Bar Fundraising and eComm
- Added many new chocolate recipes and offerings, including Sweet Georgia Browns, Himalayan Pink Salt Caramels, Vegan, and Classics
In terms of the leadership transition, Flavelle adds: "This transition is guided by the confidence I have in Scott, in Lawrence Eade, our president, and our executive team. Over the past four years, their leadership has proven that Purdys Chocolatier is in capable hands. Transitions like this are what allow a family business to remain as a family business and as a strong business."
R.C. Purdy Chocolates Ltd. is on the current Candy Industry “Global Top 100 Candy Companies” list. Click here to view the current “Global Top 100” rankings.
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