Danone appoints new head of early life nutrition business

Danone has announced the appointment of Bridgette Heller as its new executive vice-president for early life nutrition and member of the executive committee.

Ms Heller has a proven track record of success in this sector, having served in key roles for Kraft Foods, Johnson and Johnson, and Merck Sharp and Dohme over the last 17 years.

She has been appointed as the successor to Felix Martin Garcia, who has led the development of the business for nearly six years. Ms Heller will take over the role on July 1st 2016.

Emmanuel Faber, chief executive officer of Danone, said: "Bridgette Heller is a proven leader with impressive experience who, throughout her career, has demonstrated a unique ability to engage her teams."

Danone's early life nutrition division is one of its most important businesses, generating sales of nearly five billion euros (3.97 billion pounds) in 2015.

The division reported the strongest growth of any within Danone at nearly ten percent, while it also delivered a company-best operating margin of 19 percent.