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The potential Pernod Ricard ~ Brown-Forman merger would be a major move, bringing together two heavyweights in alcoholic beverages. The portfolio logic looks promising: Pernod complements BF with global scale in sales and distribution - particularly in emerging markets - while Brown-Forman brings US strength and a focused, premium American whiskey portfolio. Together, a more balanced challenger to Diageo. The synergies seem clear: route-to-market expansion, cross-selling, and cost efficiencies. But execution, governance, and cultural fit will be key: This brings together two very different organisations - a more decentralised, brand-led US business and a more matrixed, global French group. Leadership around integration and decision-making alignment will matter. Both are feeling the effects of market headwinds - slowing growth, margin pressure, and shifting consumer trends. So is this a play for accelerated growth, or defensive consolidation? Likely both. Scale and portfolio strength can be strengths in a tougher market. Interested to hear others’ views on this. #alcohol #spirits #wine #beverages #merger #acquisition

🥖 BRIDOR acquires Panamar Bakery Group in landmark deal for Groupe Le Duff 🥐 Le Duff Group has acquired Spain’s Panamar Bakery Group through its Bridor division, marking the largest transaction in the group’s history. Panamar generates around €600m in annual revenue and employs approximately 2,600 people, producing a wide range of frozen bakery, viennoiserie and pâtisserie products. With an integrated production and distribution network, the business supplies customers across 20+ countries in retail, foodservice and hospitality. The acquisition strengthens Bridor’s position in the global bakery market, adding a strategic manufacturing base in Spain and expanding its footprint across southern Europe. Panamar’s existing leadership will remain in place following completion. The deal forms part of Bridor’s wider international expansion strategy, with the business growing rapidly in recent years — increasing turnover from €750m in 2021 to €2.5bn in 2026 through a combination of acquisitions and capacity investment across key regions. Bringing together two established bakery platforms with complementary geographies, the transaction adds both scale and regional reach, highlighting continued consolidation in the industrial bakery sector. #foodandbeveragenews #acquisitions #bakery #qlmsearch

Last week, we had the privilege of bringing together all People & Organization senior leaders for our convention, centered around the theme “Inspiring for the Future.”  It was a valuable opportunity to strengthen our Strategic Plan, exchange ideas, and reflect on our shared goals and priorities. Through open discussions and collaborative sessions, we explored how to manage change, emerging trends, and the importance of building trust with our people through authenticity. What stood out most was the energy, transparency and shared commitment across all participants, which highlighted the power of moving forward as one P&O team.  A big thank you to all colleagues for your contributions. The insights and perspectives shared throughout the week will help shape our path forward as we continue to grow together.  #weareFerrero

🥛 Danone to acquire plant-based nutrition brand Huel 🌱 Danone has entered into an agreement to acquire UK-based functional nutrition brand Huel, further expanding its presence in plant-based and health-focused categories. Founded in 2015, Huel has established itself in the “complete nutrition” space, offering a portfolio of plant-based meal solutions including ready-to-drink products, powders and savoury formats. The brand has scaled through a strong direct-to-consumer model, with growing reach across the UK, Europe and the US. The transaction brings together Huel’s digitally led brand and consumer following with Danone’s global infrastructure, R&D expertise and distribution capabilities, with a focus on accelerating growth and expanding into new markets. Huel CEO James McMaster said the partnership will enable the business to reach more consumers globally, leveraging Danone’s scale while continuing to deliver convenient, nutritionally complete products. Huel will continue to operate under its existing leadership team following completion of the transaction. The move builds on Danone’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in health, wellness and functional nutrition, as demand continues to grow for products that combine convenience, nutrition and performance benefits. #foodandbeveragenews #acquisitions #partnership #qlmsearch

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗠𝗖𝗚 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 - 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 Focus > scale. That’s the new FMCG playbook. We’re seeing it across the board: Unilever, Nestlé, Kraft Heinz - all actively reshaping their portfolios. 📈 Divestments are up. 💵 Capital is being redeployed. 🚀 Growth is being redefined. 👇 Here’s what’s really driving it

Further developments regarding Unilever’s potential divestment of its Food assets. Feels like McCormick & Company could be a natural home for a number of these brands, given the category alignment and focus on brand building. https://lnkd.in/e_XGFM2Q

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ Glanbia has announced the appointment of Aisling Zito (Cribbin) as Chief Human Resources Officer! Zito joined Glanbia in 2016 as HR Director EMEA for Performance Nutrition and has since held a number of senior leadership roles across the organisation. Most recently, she served as Chief People Officer for Performance Nutrition, with additional responsibility for group-wide talent acquisition and transformation, playing a key role in strengthening leadership capability and supporting organisational development. Prior to joining Glanbia, Zito spent nearly a decade with Mars, holding a range of international HR and business leadership roles, including Global HR Director and General Manager. She later joined EY in Dublin, where she helped establish and grow the firm’s People Advisory Services practice. In her new role, Zito will focus on building leadership capability, supporting global teams and further strengthening Glanbia’s people strategy as the company continues its evolution as a focused, high-performing nutrition business. Congratulations Aisling! 👏 #foodandbeveragenews #newexecutiveappointments #leadership #qlmsearch

🤝Kraft Heinz and Unilever reportedly explored potential food merger🤝 Kraft Heinz and Unilever are reported to have held discussions around a potential merger of their food businesses, according to recent Financial Times coverage. The talks, which have since ended, were understood to have taken place in recent months prior to Kraft Heinz’s decision to pause its planned business split. While exploratory, a combination would have brought together a number of globally recognised brands including Heinz and Hellmann’s, creating a food platform of significant scale. The discussions come amid broader strategic repositioning across both groups. Kraft Heinz is focusing on reinvestment and returning to growth under new leadership, while Unilever continues to review its food portfolio following the spin-off of its ice cream division. What this could signal: 🔄 Scale vs. simplicity - balancing portfolio focus with the need for size and efficiency 📊 Pressure on legacy brands - competition from private label and challenger brands continues to intensify 🌍 Portfolio optionality - multiple strategic routes remain under consideration 🏢 Category concentration - a deal of this scale would reshape the competitive landscape It’s another reminder that the biggest players are actively reassessing how best to compete in a changing market. #foodandbeveragenews #mergers #portfolio #qlmsearch

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ Brown-Forman has appointed Jim Peters as Chief Financial Officer succeeding Leanne Cunningham, who will retire in May. Peters joins from Whirlpool Corporation, where he most recently led enterprise transformation initiatives. He previously served as CFO and Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, overseeing a broad remit including finance, strategy, IT and legal. His earlier career includes senior finance roles across North America and EMEA, as well as positions with Limited Brands and Ernst & Young. He will report to President and CEO Lawson E. Whiting and join Brown-Forman’s executive leadership team, bringing deep experience in financial strategy, operational discipline and navigating complex global markets. The appointment reflects Brown-Forman’s continued focus on strengthening financial leadership and driving performance as the business navigates an evolving consumer and macroeconomic environment. Congratulations Jim! 👏 #foodandbeveragenews #newexecutiveappointments #leadership #qlmsearch

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ General Mills has appointed Jonathan Ness as Chief Supply Chain Officer, after serving in the role on an interim basis over the past month. Ness will oversee the company’s global supply chain operations and report directly to Chairman and CEO Jeff Harmening. A nearly 20-year veteran of General Mills, Ness previously served as Vice President of Global Supply Chain Strategy, Finance and Operations, where he led key transformation and strategic initiatives across the organisation. Over the course of his career with the company, he has held leadership roles spanning supply chain strategy, finance, manufacturing, procurement and operational transformation. Ness’s appointment reinforces General Mills’ continued focus on strengthening supply chain resilience, operational performance and end-to-end execution across its global network. Congratulations Jonathan! 👏 #foodandbeveragenews #newexecutiveappointments #leadership #qlmsearch