Dawn Foods has taken the unusual step of appointing a second chief executive, which it says will help it better manage the complexities of its business. The US bakery supplier has appointed its president of international business, Serhat Unsal, as co- chief executive, who will work alongside current chief executive Carrie Jones-Barber.
Unsal joined Dawn Foods in 2011 and previously worked at Unilever.
Jones-Barber said: “As our business has become more complex and increasingly global, this model enables Dawn to be even more successful. By broadening our knowledge and experience at the senior leadership level, and by driving a more collaborative work environment, we will deliver significant opportunity for our company, our team members and our customers.”
Unsal said: “I look forward to working with Carrie as we focus on delivering a 50 percent growth in revenues and triple our profitability over the next four years. The new-CEO structure enabled us to collaboratively reach the intricate decision needed to deliver this aggressive target and proactively drive our strategic direction globally.”
A co-chief executive system is nothing new but it is unusual. Whole Foods and Chipotle are also run by co-chief executives.
Dawn Foods was founded more than 80 years ago in Michigan. It brands itself the “original old-style American bakery”.
It has grown to become the leading bakery supplier in the US and employs over 5,000 people.
