Nestlé UK and Ireland has appointed Alex Gonnella group marketing director. His appointment follows that of Nicolas Wahli as managing director for Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW) UK & Ireland.
Gonnella joins the company’s Leadership Team after five years as marketing director for Nestlé Confectionery UK and Ireland. Nestlé said he has played a pivotal role in the success of Nestlé Confectionery’s brand portfolio expansion and supported important sustainability commitments, including the move to make all Smarties packaging paper-based, removing approximately 250 million plastic packs sold worldwide every year.
In his new role, he will be responsible for leading a high-performing and inclusive marketing team, servicing all Nestlé categories.
Wahli was made managing director for Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW) UK & Ireland in June. He will also oversee the production and delivery of new products to the market as well as prioritise important commitments to sustainability, such as the Nestlé Wheat Plan.
Great opportunity
CPW is a partnership between Nestlé and General Mills and produces breakfast cereals, including Shredded Wheat, Cheerios and Nesquik. Wahli was previously managing director for CPUK Northern Europe. CPUK is responsible for the full range of Nestlé Cereals in the UK & Ireland and he joins the Nestlé UK & Ireland leadership team led by CEO Stefano Agostini.
Gonnella said: “It is tremendously exciting to work in a business that has the breadth and scope of Nestlé, with such great opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of consumers, shoppers, customers and environment at scale.”
While Wahli said it was a privilege to be leading CPUK.
“Many of our cereals are grown and produced here and are enjoyed by millions of families every day. My focus is on being sustainable and committed to better food, better lives and a better planet. It has never been more important to our consumers,” said Wahli.
Nespresso appointment
Meanwhile, Nespresso has appointed Anna Lundstrom as CEO for the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI).
Lundstrom joins the team from a global role as chief brand officer of Nespresso and will be responsible for leading the business’ operations in both markets. She succeeds Guillaume Chesneau, who has been appointed as business executive officer of Nespresso France.
Lundstrom joined Nespresso in 2010 as brand PR manager, before taking on the role of brand communications manager, followed by head of brand identity. In 2020, she joined the leadership team and continued to play an instrumental role in strengthening and elevating the Nespresso brand.
Lundstrom said: "The UK & ROI are home to dynamic and fast-paced coffee scenes, shaped by exciting new trends and opportunities. I’m looking forward to this new chapter at Nespresso, as the business continues to innovate and evolve to meet the needs of our customers, and deliver the high quality, sustainable coffee experiences we are renowned for.”
