New owner thoroughly changes Heinz management

Exit
European CEO

Mid-February
investment guru Warren Buffett announced the takeover of the world’s most
famous brand of ketchup: Buffett’s investment company Berkshire
Hathaway, together with Brazilian investment group 3G Capital, paid 28 billion
euro for the company. 3G Capital, which owns important parts of AB InBev and
Burger King, got daily operational control.

Immediately
after the definitive and complete takeover on 7 June, Jorge Paulo Lemann, the “leader”
of 3G Capital, appointed Bernardo Hees as new CEO of Heinz. Hees, former CEO of
Burger King, took over from William Johnson, who had lead Heinz for fifteen
years.

Hees in
turn is now making some big changes in the management team: eleven executives
are getting the boot. Among them the “president Europe”, Dave Woodward: he will
be succeeded by Matt Hill, until now responsible for Heinz in Great Britain and
Ireland.

Internal
promotions

Matt Hill
is not the only one to get promoted internally. Apart from the operational
director, brought in from America Latina Logistica, the new management team iscompletely comprised of people that have made their mark at the company.

“This
announcement demonstrates the power and potential of meritocracy at work here
at Heinz”, says Bernardo Hees. “As shown through today’s various internal
promotions and appointments, the company is focused on rewarding and promoting
the best and brightest talent in the organization to lead Heinz moving forward.”