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


Pret A Manger appoints Anita McDonnell as International President


Pret A Manger has appointed Anita McDonnell as president, international, effective from late August. She will oversee Pret’s operations across Europe, Asia and Africa, working alongside Felipe Athayde, president, North America, and Ross Warnes, president, UK & Ireland, as the business advances its growth strategy across 21 international markets. McDonnell brings two decades of


experience in franchised food and beverage businesses. She joins from Taco Bell, where she most recently served as managing director for Asia Pacific and the Middle East, having previously been chief growth officer for the region. Earlier in her career, she held leadership positions at Domino’s and Costa Coffee.


Levain Bakery names co-CEOs


Levain Bakery has appointed Lorna Sommerville and Taya Stenson as co-CEOs, succeeding John Maguire, who will move to the bakery chain’s board in October after three and a half years as CEO. Sommerville joined Levain following almost a decade with


Coca-Cola and most recently served as chief commercial officer, overseeing marketing, innovation, store design, customer experience and e-commerce. Stenson joined from Starbucks, where she spent two decades, taking on the role of chief operating officer as Levain expanded nationally. Since their appointments, the New York-based bakery


has grown from a handful of Northeast locations to 19 bakeries across the US, with further sites planned in Florida, California, Tennessee and Texas. Levain’s e-commerce operation has also expanded to account for around 25% of sales.


Barchemy appoints Isaac Long as CEO


Isaac Long


Barchemy has appointed food industry executive Isaac Long as chief executive officer, as the better- for-you chocolate and confectionery ingredient manufacturer enters its next phase of growth. Long joins from Rise Baking


McDonnell succeeds Eira Jarvis, who


will leave Pret at the end of the year after 13 years with the business. Jarvis has led the development of Pret’s international operations across Asia and other markets but has decided to remain in the region rather than relocate to the UK, where the role is based. She will continue in post through the end of the year to support the transition.


Company, where he most recently served as chief transformation officer, leading commercial transformation and strategic planning initiatives. Previously, he was president of Table Talk Pies, delivering significant EBITDA growth before its acquisition by Rise. Earlier in his career, Long worked as a project leader at Boston Consulting Group and spent more than a decade in the US Navy as a naval aviator and TOPGUN instructor. Long succeeds Barchemy founder


Larry Toscano, who will become chairman and continue working with the leadership team on the company’s strategic roadmap and long-term growth.


Furlani Foods names Arist Mastorides Chief Executive Officer


Furlani Foods has appointed Arist Mastorides as chief executive officer, succeeding Jonathan Kawaja, who will step down from the role while continuing to support the company as a board member and advisor. Mastorides joins Furlani


from Hostess Brands, where he served as executive vice president, chief customer and transformation officer and was part of the leadership team that helped transform and grow the business before its sale to The J.M. Smucker Co. He brings more than 30 years of consumer packaged goods experience, including three decades at


Kimberly-Clark, where he held 17 roles and most recently led the North American Family Care division and North American Infant Care. Furlani operat e s


manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, Ontario and Iowa, producing frozen and ambient specialty breads including garlic Texas toast, cheese bread, breadsticks and garlic knots. Its products are sold under the Furlani and Cole’s brands, alongside private-label ranges. Furlani is owned by Arbor


Investments, which acquired the company in February. Kawaja will remain involved following more than a decade as CEO.


42 • KENNEDY’S BAKERY PRODUCTION • AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2026


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