Quorn Foods’ CEO, Marco Bertacca, is stepping down after five years and handing over to new chief executive David Flochel, former MD of Heineken UK.
Flochel will join the business in November 2024. In addition to his role at Heineken UK, leading a business and culture turnaround for the beer giant, his previous experience includes positions as regional president of Mars Drinks for Europe and North America at Mars, and customer development roles at Unilever Food Solutions in France and the Netherlands.
Outgoing CEO Bertacca joined Quorn in January 2020, navigating the meat alternatives business through global challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis that followed.
During his tenure, he has overseen successful initiatives such as the launch of the Marlow Ingredients division in 2023, through which Quorn has made its mycoprotein available to other food companies as a B2B supplier.
Additionally, this year, the company revamped its foodservice division, QuornPro. QuornPro announced a new partnership with the NHS to help them offer blended meat items using Quorn’s mycoprotein, replacing 100% meat items on menus in efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve menu items’ health credentials.
Bertacca commented: “I would like to extend a huge thanks to the entire team for all the incredible things we’ve achieved in the five years I have been with the business. Despite the challenges with overall growth in the last few years, we have improved Quorn retail market share, achieved yearly growth in our foodservice & QSR business, and launched the new Marlow Ingredients business unit.”
He added: “I know Quorn is in good hands. David is bringing an incredible depth of knowledge and experience into the company, and we are already working closely together to ensure a smooth transition.”
Commenting on his appointment, Flochel said: “Quorn Foods has a strong history of success, but 2025 will be a reset year for the company. This is a brilliant opportunity to transform the business into the next stage of its journey and I am delighted to be taking on this new role. I believe that with the right focus and execution we can turn around the company and current category performance.”
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