Meet our Group Executive
Team

Ronald Kers

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Ronald Kers joined Valeo Foods Group as Group CEO in June 2023. Ronald brings a wealth of experience to Valeo Foods Group as a proven leader in the European food space following successful periods at both Muller Group, and most recently 2 Sisters Food Group where he held the CEO role for 5 years and was responsible for a significant business transformation. Ronald has a uniquely broad set of capabilities that span category, geography, and a deep operational skillset, which position him incredibly well to drive the next stage of Valeo Foods’ evolution.

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Louis-Francois Gombert

Chief Financial Officer

Louis Francois joined Valeo Foods Group as Group CFO in July 2023. Louis-Francois brings a wealth of experience to Valeo Foods Group as a seasoned senior Finance leader, having worked successfully as CFO, Chief Legal and Chief Transformation Officer at Suntory Beverage & Food for more than 10 years and more recently for over 3 years as Chief Finance, Legal and Operating Officer at PE backed HAVEA Group. His combined skillset will be of great value to Valeo Foods’ growth and transformation agenda going forward and to the total finance team and talent across the group to further develop the function.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Seb Jones

TRANSFORMATION DIRECTOR

Seb Jones joined Valeo Foods Group as Transformation Director in August 2023. Seb brings considerable experience of transformation having worked in similar roles at both 2 Sisters Food Group and in the Muller Group. Seb has many years’ experience in the food industry and has held functional leadership roles in Finance, IT and Supply Chain as well as considerable project leadership experience. Seb’s skillset will prove valuable as the Valeo Group continue to grow.

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Jorg Brouwer

GROUP COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

Jorg Brouwer joined Valeo Foods as Group Commercial Director in February 2024. Jorg brings a wealth of experience in the commercial area to the Group having led commercial teams in FMCG for over 25 years. Jorg has an extensive track record in the food and beverage sector having held leadership roles in various countries, functions and categories with Unilever and Nomad Foods.

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Kevin Moore

UK CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Kevin Moore joined Valeo Foods as UK CEO in June 2023 from Greencore, where he spent 25 years, most recently as Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer. Kevin started with J Sainsbury as a Graduate Trainee, where he spent 10 years. Kevin had two years in consultancy with Cap Gemini and has held a number of NED positions across a variety of industries since 2012. He is a dynamic, strategic and results focused leader, with a track record of delivering success in highly competitive, multi-site and fast-moving FMCG markets.

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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.

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.

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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.

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Jochen Rock

MANAGING DIRECTOR, VALEO FOODS GERMANY

Jochen Rock is Managing Director of Valeo Foods Germany, leading the German Schluckwerder business. Prior to joining Valeo Jochen worked in international Corporate Development roles for Zentis and Homann Feinkost. Jochen has significant experience on strategy development and corporate finance as well as in procurement and supply chain from senior advisory roles with PwC and Accenture, following early career experience working for a number of years in Audit for PwC.

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Martin Bernard

MANAGING DIRECTOR, VALEO FOODS NORTH AMERICA

Martin has been the Managing Director of Valeo Canada since Valeo Food Group's acquisition of Industries Bernard in May 2022. He has worked in the company founded by his family for over 20 years. He now leads the business to continue its growth and consolidate its leader position in the maple industry. He has unparalleled knowledge of the maple industry and in-depth knowledge of the North American food market.

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