Mars appoints Alastair Child as Chief Sustainability Officer
Chief Procurement and Sustainability Officer Barry Parkin has announced his retirement
Mars, Incorporated – the maker of Pedigree, M&M’s, Ben’s Original, and leading veterinary service provider – announced that Alastair Child, currently Vice President of Global sustainability, Mars Snacking, has been named as the new Chief Sustainability Officer, Mars, Incorporated, effective February 3, 2025.
Alastair Child, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mars, Incorporated
Mars, Incorporated
Alastair will be responsible for the development of the overall Mars sustainability agenda, leading Mars on its ambitious journey to Net Zero, as part of the company’s broader Sustainable in a Generation Plan. As part of Mars’ Net Zero Roadmap, the company has built a plan to halve full value chain emissions by 2030, enroute to Net Zero by 2050, and is already delivering on its promises with 16% absolute reductions in GHG emissions in 2023 against a 2015 baseline, across its full value chain. Alastair will lead a team of 30 sustainability leaders and experts with remits in climate, coral restoration, community, packaging, data and analytics. He will report to Andy Pharoah, VP Corporate Affairs & Sustainability and member of the Mars Leadership Team.
Throughout his more than 23-year career, Alastair has been known for his performance and passion for sustainability. For the last seven years, Alastair played a critical role in Mars Snacking, driving a strategy to embed sustainability across the enterprise. During Alastair’s tenure at Mars Snacking, the company made significant strides in their deforestation-free palm oil and pulp & paper supply chains, doubled incomes for mint farmers in northern India, led a wide range of sustainable packaging innovations such as paper-wrapped bars, and helped Mars decouple greenhouse gas emissions from growth with programs such as the Moo’ving Dairy Forward initiative.
Andy Pharoah, VP Corporate Affairs & Sustainability and member of the Mars Leadership Team said: “Alastair has established himself as a strong, well-respected leader. He brings a wealth of experience to the role and will play a key part in ensuring sustainability is integrated into every aspect of our business to help us build the world we want tomorrow.”
Alastair Child, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mars, Incorporated, said: “It’s an honor to take on this role. With average global temperatures exceeding 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels for the first time in 2024, it is imperative that we continue to perform on our promises and in doing so prove that sustainability is good for business. I look forward to collaborating with our partners, Associates and stakeholders to ensure we continue to grow responsibly.”
Outgoing Chief Procurement and Sustainability Officer Barry Parkin has announced his retirement following a remarkable journey at Mars over four decades. Barry joined the business in 1985 and during his impressive career he has occupied a diverse set of roles across Commercial, Engineering, Business Development, Supply Chain, HR and Sourcing. Barry was instrumental in the development of the Mars Sustainable in a Generation Plan and a thought leader for Mars Net Zero Roadmap. Barry will retire from Mars in March and will embark on a range of new challenges, including sailing around the world.
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