Eat Beyond appoints Michael Aucoin as CEO

Eat Beyond names Michael Aucoin as the company’s new CEO. He will replace Patrick Morris, who has served as Eat Beyond’s CEO since its inception in the Fall of 2019.

Aucoin will pilot Eat Beyond in a new direction, with a vision to establish the company as a recognized leader in the $50-billion plant-based protein market.

“We intend to compete in a wide cross-section of plant-protein verticals, as represented by our portfolio companies, with which we will work with closely to accelerate their success from an operational and value creation standpoint,” Aucoin said. “Eat Beyond is committed to leading the future of food and becoming the most successful Canadian plant-based food business operating globally.”

Eat Beyond will place a particular focus on technical innovation, research and investments in capacity-building projects. The company is building the corporate infrastructure to accelerate the growth of its portfolio companies with marketing, sales, sourcing, manufacturing and distribution capabilities.

“The team is very grateful to Patrick Morris for his work building a solid foundation and team for Eat Beyond. As he leaves to pursue other interests, he has left the organization in a strong position, poised for further growth,” said Eat Beyond board chair Don Robinson. “I am pleased to welcome Aucoin to the team as CEO as we chart a new course in the plant-based sector, building a balanced portfolio that can deliver value to our portfolio companies and our investors while pushing the industry forward.”

Aucoin has over 25 years of experience in food sales management and the consumer packaged goods industry. He comes to Eat Beyond after having worked most recently as the principal for MJA Consulting, where he focused on product launch, and market and corporate development. Aucoin holds an MBA from Queens University in Ontario, and a Bachelor of Science degree with Honours from the University of Ottawa in Ontario.