Kellogg’s appoints new finance and HR bosses

Kellogg’s has announced it has appointed two new senior leaders as a result of internal moves at the Manchester-headquartered cereal and snacks manufacturer.

Jon Akehurst takes up the reigns as finance director for Kellogg’s in the UK and Ireland from Mars Petcare’s Crown Pet Foods where he was head finance officer.

Previous to Mars Petcare, Akehurst held a series of senior finance roles across a number of blue chip food companies such as Mars Wrigley Confectionery, General Mills and Associated British Foods. He started his career as an assistant auditor at KPMG, having graduated in engineering, economics and management from the University of Oxford in 2005.

Akehurst’s appointment comes as his predecessor, Robert O’Sullivan, was promoted to the role of vice-president of finance at Kellogg’s Europe in Dublin.

In an internal move, Ben Lamont, laterally Kellogg’s talent and diversity director for Europe, has been promoted to human resource director for Kellogg’s in the UK and Ireland. Lamont started his career in field sales at FMCG giant Pepsico. Following a nine year stint at Pepsi, he moved to Kellogg’s in Manchester becoming a manager in its organisational effectiveness team before working his way up to lead the company’s talent and diversity activity across the continent.

Commenting on the appointments, Kellogg’s UK and Ireland managing director, Oli Morton, said: “We are incredibly fortunate to be able to welcome Ben and Jon to our team. Both are strong business leaders, whose talents will help us continue our growth plan.

“A plan which has seen us help people make healthier choices in the morning by slashing sugar and putting traffic light labels on our cereals, introducing new-look granolas and launching Pringles made of rice.”