Oatly Names Jean-Christophe Flatin Chief Executive Officer
Accomplished Business Leader Promoted From Global President; Toni Petersson Transitions to Co-Chairman of Board of Directors
Oatly Group AB, the world’s original and largest oat drink company, today announced Global President Jean-Christophe Flatin will become the company’s next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective June 1, 2023. Toni Petersson, who has served as CEO since 2012, will then transition to the role of Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Since joining Oatly a year ago, Mr. Flatin has led several initiatives with Chief Operating Officer Daniel Ordoñez that have resulted in immediate, positive impacts for the Company. This includes simplifying the Company’s organizational structure, driving cost and resource efficiencies across all regions, and instituting a new operating model that sets the stage for future profitable growth.
“I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to lead this great organization. Oatly is a once-in-a-generation company with the teams, purpose, and products that are second to none. We have all the elements in place to strengthen our leadership position in multiple markets and fuel the societal shift to a more sustainable plant-based food system,” commented Flatin. “I would like to thank Toni and the Board of Directors for their confidence and trust, and our employees for welcoming me so warmly. I’m excited to continue to partner with our entire leadership team to unlock Oatly’s full potential and drive long-term shareholder value.”
“Jean-Christophe is a proven leader and the ideal person to help usher Oatly in our next phase. He has already strengthened our Company for the better by putting our supply chain back on firmer footing, renewing our focus on innovation, and enabling our organization to go on offense to drive profitable growth,” remarked Petersson. “I’m incredibly proud of what Oatly has accomplished as a Company over the last decade –– building an entirely new category, growing our portfolio of innovative products, and establishing a global brand with a singularly unique identity and voice. I look forward to continuing to work with Jean-Christophe, the Board, and the entire Oatly team to realize our long-term mission to make it easier for people to live healthier lives without recklessly taxing the planet’s resources.”
In his new role as Co-Chairman of the Board, Mr. Petersson will provide support to Mr. Flatin during the transition period and focus on strategic initiatives, including advising on Oatly’s China business and championing Oatly’s unique company culture and vision. Eric Melloul will continue as Co-Chairman of the Board of Oatly, and will execute the duties and responsibilities of chairman under applicable law.
“Both Toni and the Board conducted a thorough succession planning process when bringing Jean-Christophe into the Oatly family last year, and we are delighted to appoint him as the next CEO of Oatly. He shares the same values Toni has instilled in the company and brings deep industry experience, a passion for scaling businesses, and nurturing collaborative work environments. These attributes, combined with his positive impact as Global President, make him the right successor to lead Oatly into an exciting future,” added Melloul. “For over a decade, Toni has led Oatly with tremendous vision, leadership, and commitment, all of which propelled Oatly from a niche local brand to a global force leading the plant-based movement. I am thrilled to partner with him as Co-Chairman.”
Oatly has experienced significant growth in recent years – more than tripling in revenue since 2019. The company continues to see strong demand for its products worldwide, with Oatly ranking as the top Oatmilk brand with the highest velocity of all non-dairy alternatives and a leading sales driver in both the oat and non-dairy milk categories in multiple countries. The Company continues to expand its presence in foodservice and retail, including the recent announcement of major partnerships with McDonald’s Austria, Swiss Air and leading Nordics and Baltics real estate developer, Reitan.
About Jean-Christophe Flatin
Mr. Flatin joined Oatly with over 30 years of experience at Mars, which included managing high-growth brands and leading global organizations. At Mars, Mr. Flatin led the multi-billion dollar growth of the Royal Canin cat and dog food business as Global CEO and President, and managed multiple global brands as President of the Global Chocolate division. Most recently, he served as President of Innovation, Science, Technology, and Mars Edge, a new entrepreneurial segment of Mars.
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