Nomad Foods has announced the appointment of two new presidents for key segments of its European business, aiming to enhance its operational efficiency within the food and beverage industry.
The frozen-food group’s recently appointed CEO is optimistic that these moves will significantly “sharpen our commercial execution.” Jon Fernandez de Barrena will step in as president of the company’s southern European operations next week. In this newly established role, he will oversee markets including France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain. Fernandez de Barrena joins Nomad after serving two years as CEO of Alvinesa Natural Ingredients.
Furthermore, Nomad plans to appoint a president for its central European operations later this year. This position will manage the company’s commercial activities in the Nordic and DACH markets, further demonstrating Nomad’s commitment to strengthening its presence within the food and drink business.
CEO Dominic Brisby, who took the helm at Nomad in January, expressed that, “These appointments represent an important step as we continue to strengthen our focus and unlock the full potential of our markets across Europe. Both roles will help sharpen our commercial execution, enhance agility, and create greater alignment between our local teams, our brands, and our long-term strategic priorities.”
Despite the leadership changes, Nomad Foods is navigating through challenging times. In February, the company provided guidance for another year of declining sales and profits, following 12 months of decreasing underlying sales and earnings. Organic sales totaled €3 billion ($3.54 billion), a drop of 1.9%, influenced by a 1.4% volume reduction and a 0.5% decrease in price/mix. Reported sales revenue fell by 2.2%.
Looking ahead, Nomad Foods anticipates an organic revenue decline of 2-5% in fiscal 2026. Brisby noted this year as a “transition year” marked by numerous organizational changes aimed at enhancing performance and unlocking significant value-creation potential.
The company reported an adjusted EBITDA drop of 7.5%, totaling €523 million, and projects a further decline of 5-10% in the upcoming financial year. Adjusted EPS decreased by 6.7% to €1.66, with future forecasts indicating a possible fall of 4-13%, ranging between €1.45 and €1.60.
In summary, as Nomad Foods adapts to evolving food and drink consumer trends and strives to solidify its position within the competitive landscape, these strategic appointments reflect a proactive approach to refining its operational strategy and ultimately driving growth in the food and beverage industry.
