New managing director is appointed for John West

He will be responsible for the strategic development and business growth of John West across the UK and Europe.  

As part of this role he will oversee the John West crew in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, reporting into Paul Reenan, president of Thai Union Europe, its owing company.

John West is part of Thai Union Group PCL, which is the parent of several prominent European seafood brands. These include John West, Petit Navire, Parmentier and Mareblu. Thai Union also owns King Oscar in Norway and holds a majority share of Rügen Fisch AG in Germany. 

Experience​

Stephenson has more than 20 years’ experience in the consumer goods industry, working predominantly with MARS Petcare and Confectionery. Recently he has acted as a consultant to strategy firms, private equity and corporate clients. 

Until 2018 he was global vice president, innovation, for the chocolate portfolio of Mars Incorporated, where he was responsible for accelerating and strengthening brand innovation and anticipating business growth. 

“John West has an incredible heritage of making healthy, natural fish accessible to all since 1857,” ​Stephenson said. ​

Innovation​

“Its emphasis on bringing consumer innovation to the category, and proactive leadership on seafood sustainability as part of Thai Union Group, makes John West a fascinating business to take into the next decade.” ​

Paul Reenan, president of Thai Union Europe, said:  “Paul brings a wealth of highly relevant experience in the consumer sector, and I’m looking forward to working with him to support John West’s continued business growth.”​

In Africa and Europe, Thai Union companies employ more than 6,000 people across production sites in France, Ghana, Norway, Poland, Portugal and the Seychelles; as well as commercial entities in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK.