Nestle names new U.S. chairman

GLENDALE, Calif. — Paul Grimwood, CEO of Nestlé U.K. and Ireland, has been appointed to the role of chairman and CEO of Nestlé USA following the announcement by current chairman and CEO Brad Alford, who is to retire in October.

Grimwood has been CEO of Nestlé UK and Ireland since January 2009, and headed the Nestlé U.K. confectionery business for three years prior to that. During this period, despite the difficult economic environment, Nestlé's business in the United Kingdom and Ireland delivered consistent growth in sales and profitability, and grew overall market share. Grimwood also led a major investment program to create Nestlé's next generation of world-class manufacturing operations in the United Kingdom. He joined Nestlé in 2001 in Nestlé Purina PetCare United Kingdom and Ireland.

Alford has been with Nestlé for 32 years, including nearly seven years as chairman and CEO of Nestlé USA. He was market head of Nestlé Oceania and in the U.S. led many businesses during his career, including Nestlé Food Services, confections and snacks and Nestlé brands before being named to his current role in late 2005. During his tenure, Nestlé USA has grown to sales of more than $10 billion by expanding into new categories and developing new distribution systems. Nestlé USA is one of the largest markets for Nestlé S.A., headquartered in Switzerland.