An industry veteran with a wealth of experience in food and drink, Labbate joins AG Barr from Britvic – recently acquired by drinks giant Carlsberg – where he spent seven years, most recently as GB commercial director for hospitality.
Prior to his time with Britvic, Labbate has held roles with Kraft Heinz, Burton’s Biscuits and Northern Foods.
Euan Sutherland, AG Barr Group chief executive, said: “This is a new role for the business and reflects our growth ambitions. Dino’s FMCG experience, enthusiasm and commitment has made an instant impact on the business.
‘Pivotal role’
“He understands soft drinks and has considerable knowledge across grocery, wholesale, out of home and on-premise, which will play a pivotal role in developing all brands in the business.”
Sutherland joined the business in May 2024, taking over from previous CEO Roger White who had led the drinks manufacturer for more than two decades.
The announcement of White joining the company coincided with AG Barr’s trading update for the 52 weeks ended 28 January 2024, which saw the group post a 13.8% increase in adjusted profit before tax.
Commenting on his appointment, Labbate added: “AG Barr has a rich history of success, which alongside the company’s bold growth ambitions, make this a brilliant opportunity for me to help steer our teams on the next chapter of AG Barr’s story.
‘Set up to win’
“There’s so much potential in our portfolio which is already packed with incredible brands. I’m looking forward to supporting the business as we set ourselves up to win with current and future consumers.”
Labbate’s appointment comes as former AG Barr commercial director Jonathan Kemp joins Radnor Hill’s board of directors. Kemp spent 21 years with the drinks firm, overseeing the commercial growth of the business and the development of brands such as IRN-BRU and Rubicon.
Meanwhile, Cold-pressed juice firm Daily Dose has announced a duo of appointments to its senior leadership team. Phil Hurst and Ben Weeks are to join the manufacturer as chief financial officer and chief commercial officer respectively.
