Don Wehby will retire as Group CEO of GraceKennedy on February 14, 2025, and step down from the board of administrators, the corporate introduced on Tuesday.
Wehby took a short lived leave of absence to focus on his health, efficient October 9, 2024, and resigned as a government senator a number of weeks later.
Wehby joined GraceKennedy in 1995 and was appointed Group CEO in 2011.
Throughout his tenure, the corporate greater than doubled in dimension with income transferring from $58 billion in 2011, to $155 billion in 2023.
Enlargement by means of mergers and acquisitions has been a trademark of Wehby’s management, enabling the corporate to develop regionally and globally.
Below his steerage, it has develop into one of many largest and most dynamic entities within the Caribbean, with operations spanning the Caribbean, North and Central America, the UK, and Europe.
“I’m happy with the progress we have now made throughout my tenure, and I’m assured that the brand new management staff will take GraceKennedy to even larger heights,” stated Wehby. “I need to thank the board, my colleagues, and our clients for his or her assist through the years,” he added.
Frank James will assume the position of GraceKennedy Group CEO, efficient February 14, 2025.
Frank James, present CEO of the corporate’s Home Meals Division and former Group CFO, will assume the place of Group CEO on February 14, 2025, and be appointed to the board on the identical date.
James joined GraceKennedy in 2005 as Vice President of Strategic Planning and Company Growth. James rapidly moved by means of the ranks, occupying senior roles in each the Meals and Monetary Companies Divisions, earlier than he was appointed Group CFO in 2012. He was additionally appointed to the board of administrators that very same yr.
In April 2019, James was appointed CEO GK Meals Home, the biggest division within the group of corporations, the place he has championed development and effectivity. Below his management, revenues for GK Meals Home grew by greater than 60 per cent as much as 2023 and continued on that development path, with even larger development in profitability over the interval.
“I’m honoured to tackle the position of Group CEO and lead the GraceKennedy staff,” stated James. “We’ll proceed to give attention to delivering worth to our clients, shareholders, and the communities we serve,” he added.
Professor Gordon Shirley, Chairman of GraceKennedy Restricted, commented: “Don Wehby is an distinctive chief who sees alternatives in challenges and leads by instance. We’re grateful for his revolutionary spirit, impeccable work ethic and dedication to making sure that the corporate continues to make a distinction within the communities we serve. Don’s management and imaginative and prescient have been instrumental in shaping the corporate into what it’s at the moment.”
He added, “We welcome Frank to his new position as Group CEO and I’ve each confidence that his sturdy management will guarantee continued development and innovation throughout the enterprise. The most effective is but to return for GraceKennedy.”
Professor Shirley additionally expressed his gratitude to Andrew Messado, GraceKennedy Group CFO, for his exemplary management through the transition interval, following Don Wehby’s short-term go away of absence as Group CEO, in late 2024.
These management modifications are consistent with the corporate’s succession plan and are designed to make sure continuity and drive future development, in step with its 2030 Imaginative and prescient of turning into the Caribbean’s #1 model with Jamaican roots and a worldwide attain, GraceKennedy stated in a press release.
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