Nestlé appoints German healthcare firm boss as ceo

The decision to appoint Schneider at the firm’s 150^th annual general meeting on June 27, was in line with the company’s goal of focusing on nutrition and health.

Schneider will start in his new role on January 1 2017, following an introductory period in the company starting on September 1 2016.

He is to be the first person from outside of the company to be appointed ceo since 1922.

A dual US and German citizen, Schneider has been ceo of Fresenius Group since 2003. He is a graduate of the University of St Gallen, Switzerland, with both a graduate and a doctoral degree, and also holds a Harvard Business School MBA.

‘World’s leading player’

Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, who will retire as Nestlé chairman next year (April 6 2017), said the appointment of Schneider had increased the company’s goal of becoming “the world’s [leading] player in the nutrition, health and wellness sector”.

“Together with our excellent executive team, Nestlé is well prepared to face the increasingly difficult external environment and deliver on both its long-term and short-term performance goals,” said  Brabeck-Letmathe.

Schneider will replace current ceo Paul Bulcke, who will resign from his role on December 31 2016 in preparation for his new position as non-executive chairman of the company, following Brabeck-Letmathe’s retirement.

‘Nestlé’s continued success’

“I’m looking forward to working with Ulf Mark Schneider for Nestlé’s continued success,” said Bulcke.

“Ulf Mark Schneider brings to Nestlé a wealth of proven and seasoned professional and personal skills, which will blend very well with Nestlé’s experienced management and company culture.”

Schneider served as Fresenius’s ceo for 13 years. The firm offers products and services for dialysis, hospitals and outpatient treatments. It has 220,000 employees in more than 100 countries and annual sales of £23bn.