Executive changes announced at Campbell Soup Co.

CAMDEN, N.J. Campbell Soup Co.'s chief executive is retiring at the end of the company's fiscal year.

Doug Conant will step down from his role as president and CEO, a position he has held since 2001, on July 31, 2011, the company said Tuesday. Campbell's board of directors appointed EVP and COO Denise Morrison to lead the company at the beginning of fiscal 2012. Morrison also has been elected a director of the company as of Oct. 1.

In her new role, Morrison will be responsible for leading all of the company’s global businesses. The businesses in the North America soup, sauces and beverages division, international division and Pepperidge Farm will report directly to her. Morrison, who joined Campbell in 2003, also will oversee corporate strategy, research and development, and global marketing services. Other corporate functions will continue to report to Conant.

“Doug has provided exceptional leadership to our company during the past decade,” said Paul Charron, Campbell Soup Co. chairman. “He conceived and implemented a strategic vision that transformed Campbell into the focused, highly competitive business it is today. He has built a superb executive team. Through his extraordinary personal leadership, he has created an organization with world-class levels of employee engagement and a powerful commitment to win in the marketplace, the workplace and the community, all with the highest standards of integrity. The legacy of his wide-ranging contributions and sterling personal values will long endure at Campbell."

"Denise is an outstanding leader with a commanding knowledge of Campbell’s business and an impressive record of achievement," Charron added. "The board is confident that in her expanded leadership role, she will drive strong business performance and enhance the company’s strategies for accelerating growth across our powerful brand portfolio. We look forward to working with Doug and Denise to implement a smooth and successful leadership transition."