Meet our Group Executive
Team

Seamus Kearney

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Seamus Kearney is Group CEO at Valeo Foods and joined the company in 2011 from Jacob Fruitfield where he was Managing Director from 2007. Prior to that Seamus worked with Aer Lingus for 17 years where he laterally held the position of Chief Operating Officer.

Brendan Feeney

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Brendan Feeney joined Valeo Foods in 2012 as Chief Financial Officer. Previously Brendan held senior CFO roles with Kingspan Group Plc across Ireland, the UK, Western Europe, North America and Australia between 2000 and 2012. Before that, Brendan worked with Deloitte in Ireland.

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Ian Ainsworth

MANAGING DIRECTOR, VALEO FOODS UK

Ian Ainsworth joined Valeo Foods as UK Managing Director in 2014 from Weetabix where he was UK and Ireland Sales Director. He has extensive experience and knowledge of the food industry having previously worked in senior leadership positions at GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. He was previously Managing Director of Yoplait UK.

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Alberto Alfieri

CEO, VALEO FOODS ITALY

Alberto Alfieri is CEO of Valeo Foods Italy having joined the company in 2017 from the Fiorucci food group where he served as CEO. Prior to that, Alberto held various leadership roles in a number of FMCG companies across continental Europe including positions as CEO of Danone and Parmalat in Italy.

Alberto Alfieri Linkedin Profile

Ashley Hicks

MANAGING DIRECTOR, VALEO SNACKFOODS

Ashley Hicks joined Kettle Foods as Managing Director in 2015 and following the business’ integration into Valeo Foods Group, Hicks was subsequently appointed Managing Director of Valeo Foods Confectionery. Following the integration of Valeo Foods Confectionery & Snacking, Hicks was appointed Managing Director of Valeo Snackfoods. He has over 20 years of food industry experience having previously held senior roles with Tesco Hungary as Commercial Director and Mars Confectionery.

Ashley Hicks Linkedin profile

Milena Rusnokova

MANAGING DIRECTOR, VALEO FOODS CZECH REPUBLIC

Milena Rusnokova is Managing Director of Valeo Foods Czech Republic. Having joined Candy Plus in 2006, Milena held the role of Financial Director until she was appointed Managing Director in 2016. She has extensive experience in financial and operations management and has deep expertise across the global confectionery category.

Milena Rusnokova Linkedin Profile

Eveline Paternotte

CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

Eveline Paternotte joined Valeo Foods as Chief People Officer, bringing a wealth of experience in talent development, culture strategy, organisational effectiveness and change management to the Group. Eveline has an extensive track record in the food & beverage sector having held HR leadership roles internationally with PepsiCo, SABMiller and ForFarmers.

John Heffernan

MANAGING DIRECTOR OF VALEO FOODS IRELAND

John Heffernan is Managing Director of Valeo Foods Ireland having joined from Aryzta AG where he was Chief Commercial Officer in North America. Before that he was Chief Strategy Officer for the overall Aryzta business. John has a strong track record across business transformation, sustainability and innovation in a multinational environment and is particularly experienced in the development and implementation of corporate strategy having spent a number of years as Chief Development Officer for DAA, Ireland’s airport operator.

Thibaut Eissautier

CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER

Thibaut Eissautier is Chief Procurement Officer of Valeo Foods where he is responsible for all aspects of the Group’s global procurement activities. Thibaut has deep expertise across the food and beverage sector globally having held multiple senior executive positions across the industry, including the role of Group Chief Procurement Officer at Pladis, Diageo Plc, and Mcbride Plc, where he was also Group Chief R&D Officer.

Holger Schlenger

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Holger Schlenger is Chief Technology Officer at Valeo Foods where he leads the Group’s technology functions internationally, including the delivery of various key projects and corporate initiatives. Holger has vast experience and expertise across digital strategy and transformation having previously held the role of Chief Information Officer with Eckes-Granini. Holger also held multiple senior positions across Procter and Gamble globally over a 15-year period.

Avanti Patel

GROUP HEAD OF M&A AT VALEO FOODS

Avanti Patel is Group Head of M&A at Valeo Foods where she leads the Group’s global acquisition programme. Avanti has a proven track record of identifying highly complementary acquisition targets and managing complex transaction processes, having held similar roles with Tate & Lyle, DS Smith and Thomas Cook Group previously.