The former head of Nestlé’s global confectionery division will become the new German head of the world’s largest consumer goods manufacturer in March.
(Photo: Nestle)
Dusseldorf After only four years, the German boss of the world’s largest consumer goods company Nestlé surprisingly resigns. The group had proposed to the supervisory board that Marc-Aurel Boersch be dismissed at the end of February, Nestlé announced on Tuesday afternoon.
His successor is to be Alexander von Maillot. The 51-year-old currently runs the global confectionery and ice cream business with brands such as Kitkat and Smarties from the Swiss headquarters. It was proposed to the supervisory board to appoint von Maillot as CEO from March.
Boersch has worked at Nestlé for more than 20 years. Nestlé announced that the 54-year-old had decided to end his professional career earlier in order to find more time for new, private perspectives. “Maybe I’ll do something social or advise start-ups. I would like to stay connected to the industry as much as possible,” Boersch told the Handelsblatt.
Under Boersch’s leadership, Nestlé Germany has evolved into a culturally more modern, innovative, growing and financially successful company, said Marco Settembri, responsible for Nestlé’s European business. Nestlé Deutschland AG’s sales increased slightly in 2021 to 3.16 billion euros. More recent figures are not available.
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Shitstorm video with Minister Klöckner
Boersch gained notoriety in the summer of 2019 through a video with the then Minister of Food Julia Klöckner (CDU). This praised Nestlé for having reduced sugar, salt and fat in its products. A violent shitstorm followed because of the joint appearance of the minister and manager.
The CEO of Nestlé Deutschland AG is leaving the company at the end of February after more than 20 years.
(Photo: Nestlé Deutschland AG)
Since then, it had become quieter about the head of Germany. During his tenure, Nestlé introduced meat substitutes in this country. In April, Nestlé took a majority stake in the spice start-up Ankerkraut. In the summer, the group took the flagging Vittel mineral water brand off the German market.
>> Read here: Nestlé takes Vittel off the German market
Recently, the brand manufacturer and the entire industry have been faced with rising costs. In times of inflation, consumers are increasingly turning to cheaper private labels.
Successor Alexander von Maillot is also a homegrown talent of the group. He started his Nestlé career in Germany in 1996 in sales and marketing. Ten years later he moved to the Czech Republic as manager for coffee and beverages. He then worked in France for the confectionery division. From 2013 he recommended himself as head of marketing in Belgium and Luxembourg for higher tasks.
Recently, the brand manufacturer and the entire industry have been faced with rising costs.
(Photo: Reuters)
As global head of Nestlé’s largest confectionery division from 2018, he managed to expand the business and revitalize the category, the company says.
Von Maillot is also a strong driver of a Nestlé program that campaigns against child labor and for better living conditions for cocoa farmers in Africa. Back in Germany, von Maillot now has to prove himself against criticism from environmentalists and critics of globalization.
More: How the Nestlé Germany boss wants to make milk more climate-friendly