New Belgian CEO for major investment fund in food and fashion

Joachim Creus has been appointed the new CEO of investment firm JAB Holding Company. That billion-dollar holding company is a major shareholder in food, fashion and beauty groups such as Keurig Dr Pepper and JDE Peet’s

“Member of the family”

Creus (47) takes the torch from Olivier Goudet, who led the B2C investment giant since 2012. With his sixtieth birthday coming up, JAB says is time for a generational change. Still, Goudet will remain involved as an investment adviser, as the top executive has also invested “most of his personal wealth” in the company.

As a lawyer, Creus can make a significant contribution to the group’s many acquisitions. Over the past decade, he has also “become a member of the extended Reimann family”, according to the press release. Creus is already vice-chairman of the board and will eventually succeed chairman Peter Harf.

Major powerhouse

The same press release reveals the promotion of Dutchman Frank Engelen to managing partner. Before joining JAB, Engelen worked as a partner at PwC, where he already became a “loyal advisor” to JAB. He is also a member of the board of directors.

JAB is a major investor in a number of (owners of) well-known brands, holding controlling stakes in Keurig Dr Pepper (with brands like Canada Dry and 7up), coffee and tea group JDE Peet’s, beauty brand Coty and luxury label Bally. The fund, owned by the German billionaire Reimann family, also own the Krispy Kreme and Pret-A-Manger chains.