Diving overview:
- Impossible Foods announced two new executive changes on Tuesday, with Elaine Pike becoming finance director and Emma Hutchens named chief human resources officer. Alexis Regan will become Senior Vice President of Sales.
- Impossible Foods said in a statement that the appointments are to “support the company’s expansion and evolution in a pivotal year for the plant-based industry.” 2023 was a year of several strategic hires for the company, including a new chief scientific officer and chief supply chain officer.
- Commenting on the appointments, CEO Peter McGuinness said: “This is a defining year for the plant-based category and welcoming them to the team gives us even more confidence in our plans.” .
Dive Insight:
Heading into 2023, Impossible Foods is focused on “building momentum” and “getting the message right” in the new year, said Chief Marketing Officer Leslie Sims.
The company said the new hires will be critical in achieving these goals.
Prior to joining Impossible, Mr. Paik served as Global Finance Officer for Colgate-Palmolive Company for 25 years, most recently as CFO of Juul, where he played a major role in the company’s financial stability.
A big part of her role at Juul was to “open up a strategic path for the company in an effort to disrupt existing industries,” similar to what Impossible Foods is trying to do.
Hutchens has 10 years of leadership experience in the beverage industry, most recently serving as chief human resources officer at Heaven Hill Brands and previously serving as chief human resources officer at Stoli Group International.
This time last year, Impossible Foods laid off about 20% of its employees to jump-start business amid weak demand.
The company has strengthened its leadership team in recent months, appointing Sunil Chandran as chief scientific officer and Rob Haas as chief supply chain officer.
