Kerry Group reshapes regional leadership to drive global growth

IRELAND – Kerry Group has announced significant changes to its regional leadership Executive Team as it seeks to strengthen growth and align its executive structure with strategic priorities globally. 

Marcelo Marques has been appointed President and CEO of Kerry Europe and Global Preservation, succeeding Thomas Hahlin Ahlinder, who led the region with distinction for five years. 

Under Ahlinder’s leadership, Kerry made strides in innovation, customer collaboration, food safety, and preservation capabilities. 

The company extends its sincere gratitude for his contributions and welcomes Marques, whose over 30 years of industry experience and deep sectoral knowledge are expected to bring renewed energy and strategic insight.

In tandem, Marcio Luz assumes the role of President and CEO of Kerry Latin America. Luz’s deep regional expertise, commitment to customers, and leadership in commercial execution across meat, plant-based, and foodservice sectors make him well-suited to guide the region’s operations. 

Both Marques and Luz are expected to advance a bold, customer-focused agenda and harness Kerry’s full range of taste and nutrition capabilities to deliver value creation in their respective areas.

These leadership changes follow Kerry’s strong performance in the first half of 2025.

Group-wide, Kerry reported €3.5 billion (US$3.85 billion) in revenue, up 1.3 per cent, driven by volume growth of three per cent, an expanded EBITDA margin (up 100 basis points to 16.1 per cent) and a 9.8 per cent rise in adjusted earnings per share on a constant currency basis. 

Free cash flow reached €309 million (US$340 million) as Kerry maintained operational discipline and continued its share buyback program.

These financial results reflect Kerry’s capability-led growth approach and serve as a supportive backdrop to the new appointments. 

The company remains dedicated to anticipating market trends, innovating across taste, preservation, proactive health, and biotechnology, and partnering with global customers to deliver sustainable nutrition to over a billion consumers.

Moving forward, Marques will oversee growth opportunities across Europe and champion the Global Preservation platform, a key growth engine as food manufacturers seek natural, clean-label solutions. 

Luz will focus on driving innovation, commercial execution, and sustainability across Latin America, a region where Kerry has already spent decades investing in infrastructure, community engagement, and local partnerships.

As Kerry operates in over 150 countries with a workforce now exceeding 23,000 employees and enjoys a robust presence in emerging markets, these leadership transitions are aimed at ensuring strategic focus, executional agility, and continued regionally tailored growth.

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