Todd Lachman, current president of Mars Global Petcare, "has decided to leave Mars at the end of 2014 to relocate his family to San Francisco," said a statement from Mars Inc. His departure will create a number of executive changes at the huge candy and pet food company.
Lachman has been with Mars for eight years, first leading the North America and Latin America chocolate businesses before moving into the lead role at global pet care. Poul Weihrauch, currently global president of Mars Food, will take over as president of global pet care effective Jan 1, 2015. After six years with Nestle, Weihrauch joined Mars in 2000. He's also worked Mars businesses in chocolate, Wrigley, food and drinks.
Fiona Dawson, currently regional president of chocolate UK and global retail, will step into the role of global president of Mars food with accountability for Mars drinks and European multisales. Dawson began her Mars career in sales in 1988 as a graduate trainee. After many years in Multisales in Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium, she became the head of the UK chocolate business in 2005 and has since also added responsibility of the Mars retail group.
Andrew Clarke, currently regional president-petcare for Latin America, will become Mars Inc.'s new chief customer officer and a member of the Mars leadership team, effective Feb. 15. He came to Mars in 2000 from retailer Marks & Spencer.
Bruce McColl, Mars' chief marketing officer, is being made a member of the Mars leadership team. He joined Mars in 1992 in Australia as a brand manager.
