STOCK TITAN

IFF Announces Further Evolution of its Board of Directors

Rhea-AI Impact
(Low)
Rhea-AI Sentiment
(Very Positive)
Tags
management
Rhea-AI Summary

International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE: IFF) is evolving its Board of Directors to enhance its strategic transformation and financial vision. Effective March 10, 2023, Kevin O’Byrne, CFO of J Sainsbury Plc, will join the Board, bringing extensive experience in consumer retail. He will serve on the Audit, Innovation, and Transaction Committees. Meanwhile, Ed Breen, Matthias Heinzel, and Stephen Williamson will retire from the Board, with Williamson's departure also effective March 10. The Chairman expressed gratitude for their contributions, emphasizing the company’s commitment to long-term growth and innovation under new leadership.

Positive
  • Appointment of Kevin O’Byrne brings over 30 years of experience in consumer retail and finance, enhancing strategic direction.
  • O'Byrne's deep understanding of consumer goods is expected to strengthen IFF's customer-centered approach.
Negative
  • Retirement of three Board members, including experienced directors, could impact continuity and strategic oversight.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- IFF (NYSE: IFF) today announced the next phase of the evolution of its Board of Directors, to support the ongoing execution of the company’s strategic transformation and long-term financial vision.

Kevin O’Byrne, Chief Financial Officer and director of J Sainsbury Plc, has been appointed to join the IFF Board, effective March 10, 2023. O’Byrne is an established financial executive with decades of experience driving sustainable growth and overseeing transformation strategies for international consumer retail businesses. He brings to IFF a deep understanding of the consumer landscape and evolving expectations of CPG customers, which will be valuable to IFF as it continues to execute on its customer-centric and growth-focused strategy. O’Byrne will serve on the Board’s Audit, Innovation, and Transaction Committees.

IFF also announced that Edward (Ed) Breen and Matthias Heinzel, both of whom have served as directors and members of the Board’s Innovation Committee since 2021, have notified IFF of their respective decisions to retire from the Board. Breen and Heinzel will not stand for reelection at IFF’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In addition, Stephen Williamson, director since 2017 and a member of the Board’s Audit Committee, has notified IFF of his decision to retire from the Board effective March 10, 2023.

“On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to thank Ed, Stephen and Matthias for their many contributions to IFF,” said Dale Morrison, Chair of the IFF Board. “As directors, each has helped oversee the development of IFF’s refreshed growth strategy as we’ve become an even stronger partner for customers across the global value chain for consumer goods and commercial products. It has been an honor to work alongside these three leaders and I wish them all the best in their next chapters.”

“It has been a privilege to serve on the IFF Board as the company has established itself as the industry’s premier partner through the transformative combination of DuPont’s Nutrition and Biosciences business,” said Ed Breen, Director of the IFF Board. “Both the IFF Board and leadership team have taken strong action to position the company for long-term profitable growth and significant value creation, and I look forward to seeing all that IFF will accomplish in the future.”

“As we continue to evolve our Board of Directors, I am thrilled to welcome Kevin as an incoming director,” said Roger Ferguson, Incoming Chair of the IFF Board. “Kevin brings more than 30 years of retail and consumer goods experience to the IFF Board and a proven track record overseeing numerous multinational finance initiatives and successful business integrations. I am confident that his expertise and international perspective will be critical as we capture new growth opportunities, execute on our productivity initiatives and optimize our portfolio.”

O’Byrne is responsible for the finance, strategy, property, procurement and investor relations functions at J Sainsbury Plc, the second largest retailer in the United Kingdom. He will be retiring from Sainsbury's on March 4, 2023. Prior to joining J Sainsbury Plc, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Poundland Group Plc and held various leadership positions at Kingfisher Plc, including Divisional Director UK, China and Turkey, as well as Chief Executive Officer of B&Q UK & Ireland and Group Finance Director.

O’Byrne sits on the Board of Centrica Plc, the leading energy supply and in-home servicing provider in the UK and Ireland. He has chaired the Audit and Risk Committee since May 2019 and is the Senior Independent Director (SID). O’Byrne sat on the board of Land Securities Group Plc, the UK’s largest listed real estate group, for nine years where he chaired the Audit Committee and was SID.

“I am thrilled to join the IFF Board during such an exciting time for the company,” said Kevin O’Byrne, Incoming IFF Director. “IFF continues to lead the industry in delivering innovative solutions that meet the needs of today’s customers, and the company has a clear opportunity to realize its full potential. I look forward to partnering with Roger and the rest of the Board to help IFF become an even stronger industry leader, while driving sustainable, profitable growth.”

Welcome to IFF

At IFF (NYSE: IFF), an industry leader in food, beverage, scent, health and biosciences, science and creativity meet to create essential solutions for a better world – from global icons to unexpected innovations and experiences. With the beauty of art and the precision of science, we are an international collective of thinkers who partners with customers to bring scents, tastes, experiences, ingredients and solutions for products the world craves. Together, we will do more good for people and planet. Learn more at iff.com, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

© 2023 by International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. IFF is a Registered Trademark. All Rights Reserved.

Media Relations:

Paula Heinkel

332.877.5339

Media.request@iff.com

Investor Relations:

Michael Bender

212.708.7263

Investor.Relations@iff.com

Source: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

FAQ

Who has been appointed to the IFF Board?

Kevin O’Byrne has been appointed to the IFF Board, effective March 10, 2023.

What is Kevin O’Byrne's background?

Kevin O’Byrne is the CFO of J Sainsbury Plc and has extensive experience in the consumer retail sector.

Why are Ed Breen and Matthias Heinzel leaving the IFF Board?

Ed Breen and Matthias Heinzel have decided to retire and will not stand for reelection at the 2023 Annual Meeting.

When will the Board changes take effect at IFF?

The changes will take effect on March 10, 2023.

What committees will Kevin O’Byrne serve on?

Kevin O’Byrne will serve on the Board's Audit, Innovation, and Transaction Committees.

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

NYSE:IFF

IFF Rankings

IFF Latest News

IFF Stock Data

23.05B
255.53M
0.06%
93.66%
1.41%
Specialty Chemicals
Industrial Organic Chemicals
Link
United States of America
NEW YORK