Ackerman to Co-Chair Global Group

PARIS — The Consumer Goods Forum here said it has elected Gareth Ackerman of South African retailer Pick n Pay as co-chairman of the group.

He succeeds Lars Olofsson, the former chief executive officer of Carrefour, and will work with the existing co-chair, Muhtar Kent of the Coca-Cola Co. In addition, two vice co-chairs have also been elected: Dick Boer, CEO of Amsterdam-based Ahold, and Bob McDonald, chairman, president and CEO of Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati.

Ackerman is non-executive chairman of Pick n Pay Stores, one of Africa’s largest retailers with operations in South Africa and several other African countries.

“We are delighted that Gareth Ackerman has been elected as our new co-chair,” said Jean Marc Saubade, managing director, CGF. “With an impressive background in retail and a focus on sustainable growth, he will play a vital role in bringing our member companies’ together to collaborate and implement programs that address the issues we face.”

CGF is a global organization made up of CEOs from retail and CPG companies that is focused on knowledge exchange and initiatives around five strategic priorities: emerging trends; sustainability; safety and health; operational excellence; and knowledge sharing and people development.