Amanda Banfield will leave Mondelez International after 30 years, stepping down from her current position as president for Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Darren O’Brien, Mondelez president, meals Europe and the global category team, will take over the position from 1 May.
O’Brien has had numerous leadership roles at Mondelez International, first joining the company in 2008 as director of sales, ANZ. He has also held the positions of modern trade director Asia Pacific, based in Singapore, as well as managing director ANZ meals, and president Asia Pacific for the Cheese and Grocery business.
In his current role as president, meals Europe and the global category team, O’Brien has played a key role in step-changing growth and profit trajectory, driving market share gains on the global Philadelphia brand and key local cheese and grocery businesses across the region, overseeing the reinvention of the Mondelez supply chain and route to market strategies.
Maurizio Brusadelli, Mondelez executive vice president, and president Asia, Middle East and Africa, said O’Brien brings an entrepreneurial ability, ‘can do’ spirit, and proven track-record in energising teams, driving new opportunities and growing businesses profitably.
“Darren’s strong relationships inside and outside the business, and his skills in strategy, sales and branding, will help drive our bold growth ambition,” said Brusadelli.
Brusadelli thanked Banfield for her 30-year contribution at Mondelēz International, and said, “Amanda has brought stability, collaboration and alignment, leading the business through several transformations, making a key divestiture, strengthening customer partnerships and improving customer service results.”
“We are proud that the Australian business has been voted #1 in the Advantage Survey for five out of the last six years.”
Banfield will leave Mondelez International to pursue an external opportunity.
