New leadership named at Global Food Safety Initiative
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), managed by The Consumer Goods Forum, announced that Yves Rey, corporate quality general manager Danone, has been appointed chairman elect to replace current chairman, Jürgen Matern, Metro AG, once he completes his mandate in February 2012. Yves Rey will become the sixth chairman of the Global Food Safety Initiative.
Cenk Gurol, general manager supply chain division for AEON Global SCM will replace Cindy Jiang, senior director worldwide quality, food safety and nutrition at McDonald’s in her position as vice chair, effective immediately. Cindy Jiang will continue to serve on the GFSI board of directors.
The GFSI board also welcomed the appointment of Mike Liewen, VP global quality Assurance for Yum! Brands to the GFSI board effective immediately. Mike joined Yum! in 2006, after a 17-year career at General Mills, where he worked in various leadership positions including director quality and regulatory operations for the Meals Division, director quality for the Yoplait division, and corporate microbiologist. Prior to working at General Mills, Mike was an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska.
Commenting on the recent changes within the GFSI board, current chairman Jürgen Matern said: “The GFSI board is delighted that Yves has agreed to take over once I step down in 2012, an appointment which will ensure continuity and which will drive broader acceptance of GFSI amongst the manufacturer community. GFSI’s current momentum, particularly in new geographies, means that we must continue to increase awareness among key stakeholders in the global food industry of the benefits of the collaborative GFSI approach and the efficiencies for companies associated with accepting GFSI recognised schemes in their supply chains. Mike’s appointment is particularly significant as GFSI reinforces its foodservice presence on the Board and highlights the role that all partners in the supply chain play together in advancing the work of GFSI”.