J&J hires former P&G president

Former Procter & Gamble group president Jorge Mesquita has been hired by Johnson & Johnson as worldwide chairman of its consumer companies.

Mesquita, 53, will serve on the corporation’s management committee, lead the consumer group operating committee and report to Sandi Peterson, group worldwide chairman.

Mesquita comes to Johnson & Johnson with a strong track record of building and marketing global brands, developing consumer-insight-driven innovation capabilities, leading strategic business turnarounds, and driving strong, profitable growth at Procter & Gamble.

After joining P&G in 1984, Mesquita led major global business units in the home care, fabric care and pet care categories, and was recognized for the reinvention of major brands, such as Tide, Swiffer, Febreze, Mr. Clean, Downy, Dawn, Cascade and Iams. His diverse experience includes driving innovation for the enterprise and leading large, complex supply chain organizations.

In his most recent position as P&G’s group president, new business creation and innovation, he redesigned the company’s business development organization and worked across the corporation with technology, marketing and finance leaders to develop innovation capabilities. He spent his first 15 years at P&G working in various capacities across Latin America, including roles in oral care and beauty.

“I’m confident that Jorge’s demonstrated leadership, his commitment to brand building, and his systemic approach to driving results and developing talent will maintain and extend the momentum and strategic clarity our consumer group Operating Committee has established,” Peterson said.