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🍦The battle for ice cream scale?🍦 Private equity firms Blackstone and CD&R are reportedly exploring potential bids for The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), according to Reuters sources familiar with the matter. TMICC only completed its separation from Unilever late last year, listing in London, Amsterdam and New York as the world’s largest standalone ice cream business. Unilever still retains a 19.9% stake, which it has previously said it intends to reduce gradually over time. While discussions are said to be at an early stage, reports suggest the firms are closely monitoring TMICC’s share performance and upcoming summer trading before deciding whether to proceed. The business has shown positive momentum since the spin-off, reporting organic sales growth of 4.5% in Q1 and volume growth of 2.9%, supported by brands including Magnum, Ben & Jerry’s, Wall’s and Cornetto. The reported interest highlights continued appetite from private equity for large-scale, category-leading FMCG assets, particularly those with strong brand portfolios, international reach and standalone growth potential. With a reported 21% share of the global branded ice cream market, TMICC is already operating at significant scale. The question now is whether that scale becomes even more attractive under private ownership. #FoodandBeverageNews #Acquisitions #IceCream #PrivateEquity #QLMSearch

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. appoints David Gardner as President & CEO! Ajinomoto Foods North America (AFNA) has named Dave Gardner as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 April 2026, succeeding Hiroshi Kaho. Gardner brings more than 35 years of food industry experience and has served as Chief Supply Chain Officer at AFNA since 2022, overseeing manufacturing and end-to-end supply chain operations across the company’s U.S. network. During his time in the role, he led capacity expansion and operational optimisation initiatives while helping translate the company’s long-term growth strategy into execution. Prior to joining AFNA, Gardner held senior leadership positions at companies including Amy’s Kitchen and Ingredion, building broad expertise across operations, transformation and team leadership. As CEO, Gardner is expected to focus on operational excellence, innovation and brand growth, while continuing to strengthen AFNA’s people-focused culture and expanding its position within the growing frozen and globally inspired foods category. With a portfolio including Ajinomoto, Ling Ling, Tai Pei and José Olé, AFNA continues to build its presence across retail and foodservice as consumer demand for authentic global flavours and convenience-led meal solutions grows. Congratulations David! 👏 #FoodandBeverageNews #NewExecutiveAppointments #Leadership #QLMSearch

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ Proximo Spirits has announced the appointment of Stefan Lazaridis as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. and Canada! Lazaridis joins the business with more than two decades of global finance and operational leadership experience across large multinational organisations. Most recently, he served as Vice President Finance / Divisional CFO at McCormick & Company, where he oversaw finance for the company’s North America Flavor Solutions and Latin America divisions, supporting commercial growth, profitability and operational effectiveness. Earlier in his career, he held senior finance leadership positions at Heineken, Stanley Black & Decker, and Reckitt Benckiser, developing extensive experience across financial planning, M&A, supply chain finance and business transformation initiatives. With a strong track record of partnering across functions and translating strategy into execution, Lazaridis will play an important role in strengthening Proximo Spirits’ financial capabilities and supporting the company’s continued growth and performance across the U.S. and Canadian markets. Congratulations Stefan! 👏 #FoodandBeverageNews #NewExecutiveAppointments #Leadership #QLMSearch

🥃 Brown-Forman rejects reported $15bn takeover bid from Sazerac Company 🥃 Brown-Forman has reportedly turned down a $15 billion acquisition offer from Sazerac, according to Reuters, despite the proposal valuing the Jack Daniel’s owner above its current market price. Reuters reported that Sazerac submitted a cash bid of $32 per share earlier this year, backed by financing from Wells Fargo and Apollo Global Management. The proposal also reportedly included an option for Brown-Forman’s Class A shareholders to retain equity in the combined business. The reported decision comes shortly after separate discussions between Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard ended without a deal being reached. According to Reuters, the Brown family which retains control of the company, is said to have preferred the structure of a potential Pernod Ricard transaction, which would have allowed the family to maintain influence within the business. Sazerac’s proposal, by comparison, was reportedly more heavily weighted toward cash and would likely have resulted in a loss of control. The developments underline continued M&A speculation across the global spirits industry, as major players assess scale, portfolio positioning and long-term growth opportunities in an increasingly competitive market. #FoodandBeverageNews #MergersandAcquisitions #Spirits #QLMSearch

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ Nutrabolt appoints Andrew Archambault as President & Chief Operating Officer! Nutrabolt, the active nutrition and beverage company behind brands including C4 Energy, Bloom, Cellucor and Xtend, has announced the appointment of Andrew Archambault as President and Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. In the role, Archambault will oversee the company’s commercial and operational functions, including sales, supply chain and international operations, as Nutrabolt continues to scale across the energy beverage and active nutrition categories. Archambault brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across the consumer packaged goods sector. Most recently, he held senior executive positions at The Hershey Company and Keurig Dr Pepper, where he served as President of the U.S. Beverage Unit. Throughout his career, he has led large-scale commercial organisations, managed multi-billion-dollar businesses and driven sustained growth across highly competitive consumer markets. Nutrabolt leadership described Archambault as a transformational operator with a strong track record of translating strategy into execution, experience that will support the company’s next phase of growth and operational scale. The appointment comes as Nutrabolt continues to expand its position in performance energy, invest in emerging wellness brands and strengthen its global growth platform. Congratulations Andrew! 👏 #foodandbeveragenews #newexecutiveappointments #leadership #qlmsearch

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ Post Holdings appoints Nicolas Catoggio as next CEO! Post Holdings has announced that Nicolas Catoggio will become president and CEO from 1 October 2026, succeeding Rob Vitale, who will transition to the role of executive chairman. Catoggio currently serves as chief operating officer, having previously led Post Consumer Brands as president and CEO. Since joining the business, he has played a key role in driving operational performance and overseeing the integration of acquisitions across the group. Vitale, who has led Post Holdings since 2014, has overseen a significant period of expansion for the company, including growth into new categories and international markets, alongside more than 50 capital markets and M&A transactions. As executive chairman, Vitale will continue to support the business through strategic guidance and capital allocation oversight. The leadership transition comes as large FMCG and consumer groups continue to focus on operational execution, portfolio development and long-term growth strategy in an increasingly competitive market. Congratulations to you both! 👏 #foodandbeveragenews #newexecutiveappointments #leadership #qlmsearch

🍺 The HEINEKEN Company enters functional beverage space with new alcohol-free launch 🍺 Heineken has expanded further into the functional drinks category with the launch of a new alcohol-free lager containing electrolytes, vitamin C and magnesium. The move reflects growing interest in beverages positioned around wellness, hydration and added functionality, as major drinks companies continue to diversify beyond traditional alcohol offerings. The new product combines the familiar profile of alcohol-free beer with ingredients more commonly associated with sports and wellbeing beverages, highlighting the increasing overlap between the beverage, health and lifestyle categories. The launch also signals how brewers are responding to evolving consumer preferences, particularly among younger consumers seeking products that balance moderation, convenience and functional benefits. As demand for alcohol-free and better-for-you beverages continues to rise, functional innovation is becoming an increasingly important area of focus across the wider drinks industry. #foodandbeveragenews #betterforyou #category #qlmsearch

🍺 The HEINEKEN Company enters functional beverage space with new alcohol-free launch 🍺 Heineken has expanded further into the functional drinks category with the launch of a new alcohol-free lager containing electrolytes, vitamin C and magnesium. The move reflects growing interest in beverages positioned around wellness, hydration and added functionality, as major drinks companies continue to diversify beyond traditional alcohol offerings. The new product combines the familiar profile of alcohol-free beer with ingredients more commonly associated with sports and wellbeing beverages, highlighting the increasing overlap between the beverage, health and lifestyle categories. The launch also signals how brewers are responding to evolving consumer preferences, particularly among younger consumers seeking products that balance moderation, convenience and functional benefits. As demand for alcohol-free and better-for-you beverages continues to rise, functional innovation is becoming an increasingly important area of focus across the wider drinks industry. #foodandbeveragenews #betterforyou #category #qlmsearch

✨𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀✨ General Mills has promoted Dana McNabb to Chief Operating Officer, expanding her leadership responsibilities as the company looks to strengthen execution and drive growth across its global business. The appointment will take effect from 1 June 2026, with McNabb continuing to report to CEO and chairman Jeff Harmening while also joining the company’s board of directors. Currently serving as group president of North America Retail and North America Pet, McNabb will now oversee all of General Mills’ operating segments alongside several key functions, including international operations, supply chain, innovation, digital and technology, foodservice and corporate strategy. McNabb brings nearly three decades of experience at General Mills, having held senior leadership roles across strategy, international operations and major product categories including cereal, snacks, meals and dairy. The move comes as major FMCG groups continue to place increased focus on operational execution, portfolio performance and global growth capabilities amid evolving consumer demand and market pressures. Congratulations Dana! 👏 #foodandbeveragenews #newexecutiveappointments #leadership #qlmsearch

Tribute: Lord Haskins, the Northern Foods pioneer who reshaped the British food industry Link to story in the comments 👇 #foodindustry #chilledfoods #inmemoriam #tribute Julian Wild