Movers and Shakers The right people in the right roles can make all the difference


ECA elects new President and Executive Committee


At its last General Assembly in London, the Board of Directors of the European Cocoa Association (ECA) appointed Mr. Chris Beetge, Regional Head Europe and Global Head Cocoa Operations at ofi (olam food ingredients), as the new President of the Association for the upcoming two years, starting on 6th of May 2026. Mr. Guus de Gruiter, Co-CEO of ECOM


Cocoa, has also been appointed as the ECA Vice-President, and Olivier Werbrouck as the ECA Treasurer. Mr. Beetge, Mr. de Gruiter and Mr. Werbrouck will form the new ECA Executive Committee.


As part of his first reaction in his new role,


Mr. Beetge thanked Mr. Christian Vollers, former ECA Chairman, for his great achievements and leading role during his chairmanship, notably on the successful European Cocoa Forum 2025 and his positive impact on the Association during his long presence on the ECA board. The ECA Board of Directors also decided


Chris Beetge


Carrie Abbott joins NCA as Vice President of Membership & Business Development


Carrie Abbott has joined the National Confectioners Association (NCA) as Vice President of Membership & Business Development. In this role, Abbott will lead the organisation’s efforts to grow member company engagement,


strengthen


industry partnerships, and expand business opportunities across the confectionery industry.


Abbott


brings extensive industry experience as the founder and CEO of Newfangled Confections, where she built a nationally recognized brand rooted in innovation and entrepreneurship. She has also served two terms on NCA’s Board of Trustees. “Carrie’s entrepreneurial spirit, deep


Carrie Abbott


and business leader will be invaluable to strengthen member engagement, expand opportunities across the industry, and ensure confectionery companies have the connections, insights, and resources they need to grow and thrive.” Abbott founded Newfangled Confections in 2012 and created its award-winning product, Frittle Candy, growing the company from a local startup into a nationally recognized brand. A proud Indiana native, Carrie graduated from Ball State University and received additional training in pastry and baking arts at


Ivy Tech Community College. Her


understanding of the confectionery landscape, and prior service to NCA make her uniquely qualified to support our members at this critical moment,” John Downs, NCA President and CEO, said. “Her perspective as a candy maker


professional experience spans product innovation, brand development, and business growth, along with a strong commitment to supporting employees, small businesses, and the broader candy community. She is a board member of Visit Indy and Downtown Indy Inc., championing underrepresented founders in the food and hospitality ecosystems.


to approve the appointment of two new Directors. Mr. Albert Rius, CEO of Nessentis in the Processors category and Mr. Alec Gunn, CEO of Commodity Centre in the Logistics category. The Board of Directors now consists of 11 Directors.


Cadbury Nigeria Appoints Ayman Gaafar as Managing


Director Cadbury Nigeria Plc has appointed Ayman Hussein F. Gaafar as its new managing director, effective 15 May 2026, following the conclusion of Folake Ogundipe’s tenure as interim managing director. The appointment was approved by the


company’s board after a recommendation from its Governance and Risk Committee and has been communicated to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and investors. Gaafar joins the business with extensive


FMCG experience gained across a number of multinational companies, including Procter & Gamble, Reckitt, Danone and Shan Foods. His background spans general management, commercial leadership and market strategy, with experience leading operations across the Middle East, Africa, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Canada. According to the company, Gaafar has a strong track record in revenue growth, market expansion and business transformation,


alongside experience


managing large cross-regional teams and developing strategic partnerships. Ogundipe, who has served as interim managing director since December 2025, will step down from the role following the transition. The board thanked her for her leadership.


50 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • MAY 2026


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