Maple Leaf Foods launches new centre of excellence

Maple Leaf Foods makes changes to its senior leadership team, as part of the leadership transition plan announced earlier this year.

Casey Richards, current senior vice-president of marketing, is promoted to the newly created role of president and chief growth officer. In this new role, Richards will assume accountability of Maple Leaf’s value-added prepared meats and poultry businesses. Under his leadership, Maple Leaf establishes a centre of excellence called Accelerate.

“With over 20 years of global CPG marketing and management experience, Casey has the insight, expertise and strategic capability to lead our value-added packaged goods business into the future,” said Curtis Frank, president and COO, Maple Leaf Foods. “He is a highly accomplished brand marketer, with strong commercial acumen and a history of success in strategy, brand building, innovation and business management. His vision for Accelerate will unlock new opportunities for growth with both consumers and customers.”

Iain Stewart, current senior vice-president of operations & supply chain, is promoted to the newly created role of chief supply chain officer.

Adam Grogan, currently President of Maple Leaf Foods’ subsidiary, Greenleaf Foods, SPC, is appointed to the role of president, alternative protein. Grogan will continue to lead the Greenleaf business, and will add responsibility for commercializing and broadening the company’s innovation and investment strategy in meat protein alternatives.

Jumoke Fagbemi, will join Maple Leaf Foods in January as its new senior vice-president, People. Jumoke is a well-respected human resources professional with more than 20 years of experience and a proven record of successfully implementing cost-effective, value-driven people strategies grounded in diversity, equity and inclusion principles.

Patrick Lutfy, current vice-president of marketing, is promoted to the role of senior vice-president of marketing, replacing Richards.

“This is a very exciting time for Maple Leaf Foods,” said Michael McCain, CEO. “I have absolute confidence in Curtis and this senior leadership team to deliver exceptional performance driven by our winning culture, world-class assets, leading brands, and talented people. Grounded in an unwavering commitment to build our brands and deliver the safe, healthy, nutritious and sustainably produced food that our customers and consumers crave, the next chapter in Maple Leaf Foods’ journey is sure to be our best one yet.”