As the global chocolate industry confronts various challenges, Barry Callebaut has appointed a new leader who possesses a deep understanding of the company and its significance within the sector. This individual has also been instrumental in some of the company’s most significant innovations, as well as its environmental and social responsibility initiatives. “Peter’s impressive history of driving profitable growth, fostering innovative breakthroughs, and establishing a strong quality culture, in addition to cultivating new markets and segments, alongside his dedication to sustainability, makes him the ideal candidate for the Group’s new CEO,” stated Patrick De Maeseneire, chairman of Barry Callebaut’s board, in a written statement.
Boone has played a crucial role in the Forever Chocolate initiative — Barry Callebaut’s pledge to eradicate poverty and child labor from its supply chain, achieve carbon and forest positivity, and utilize 100% sustainable ingredients by 2025. In a 2018 interview with Candy Industry, he mentioned that before Forever Chocolate, the company was indeed doing commendable work, but it lacked clear impact and measurable goals. Since the launch of Forever Chocolate, Barry Callebaut has mapped out 181,861 of its cacao farms and gathered data to identify the farmers, helping them improve efficiency, yields, and income. The company’s global gourmet chocolate brands now boast a fully sustainable cocoa supply chain, with 61% of the non-cocoa ingredients sourced sustainably. Barry Callebaut’s sustainability initiatives have led to an 8.1% reduction in its carbon footprint, and earlier this year, the environmental impact disclosure organization CDP recognized Barry Callebaut as a Supplier Engagement Leader for its collaboration with suppliers to lower emissions.
In addition, Boone has contributed to Barry Callebaut’s most recent transformative innovations: ruby chocolate and the increased utilization of cacao fruit through the WholeFruit Chocolate and Cabosse Naturals product lines. Ruby chocolate, characterized by its rosy hue and berry-like flavor, faced regulatory challenges in entering the U.S. market due to additional requirements from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for chocolate labeling. Meanwhile, Cabosse Naturals and WholeFruit Chocolate are innovative initiatives aimed at upcycling traditionally discarded parts of the cacao fruit into new ingredients or products, with the latter being entirely composed of these components.
Sustainability and innovation are becoming increasingly vital for both manufacturers and consumers. As CEO, Boone will be well-positioned to guide the company along this path and advance Barry Callebaut’s Treat Tomorrow initiative, which launches next week to explore emerging macro trends in global chocolate consumption and support manufacturers in creating future-oriented products.
According to Reuters, there is speculation regarding departing CEO de Saint-Affrique potentially being a candidate for the new CEO position at Danone, following the ousting of Emmanuel Faber last month. With Boone stepping into the CEO role, there will be additional leadership changes at Barry Callebaut this fall. Steve Woolley, currently the company’s vice president and general manager of global accounts in North America, will succeed Boone as president of the Americas, having been with Barry Callebaut since 2012. Furthermore, Jo Thys, who has served as vice president of cocoa in Africa since 2017, will take on the role of president for Asia Pacific, effective July 1.
In light of these developments, Barry Callebaut’s commitment to sustainability, including the use of calcium carbonate and calcium citrate tablets in their processes, will continue to be a focal point, ensuring that the company not only thrives but also aligns with the growing consumer demand for responsible and innovative practices in the chocolate industry.