New year, new leaders: pet players unveil fresh appointments

This January, major international pet industry players are making a fresh start with leadership changes.

VAFO PRAHA

VAFO PRAHA, a member of the VAFO Group, has announced the appointment of Milan Bartoš as its new Managing Director as part of the group’s restructuring efforts. 

As part of the restructuring, the group created 3 new entities. VAFO PRAHA will concentrate solely on its flagship brands, Brit and Carnilove. Private-label products and smaller brands are being transferred to VAFO Private Labels, while VAFO Production brings together all manufacturing sites in the Czech Republic and overseas.

Bartoš joined the Czech pet food manufacturer as a sales manager and, since 2018, has been in charge of private-label management. In 2020, he was promoted to Head of Sales.

“Our goal is not only growth, but also the creation of solutions for new challenges across individual sales channels, from specialist stores and the modern market to e-commerce and a direct relationship with the customer. Our brands will continue to help our partners win in the market, not merely follow it,” says Bartoš.

Mars Petcare

Mars, Incorporated, named Marc Carena as the new Global President for its petcare business, Mars Petcare, effective this January. He will replace Loïc Moutault, who has been with Mars for over 30 years across multiple functions, business segments and countries.

Since 2022, Carena has been Regional President for Mars Snacking Europe, Central Eurasia & International Travel Retail. 

Prior to joining Mars, he was Managing Director for McDonald’s in Russia and also held roles at retail and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) firms such as Metro Group, a retail chain, and Nestlé, the multinational food and beverage company.

“Marc is the right person to lead Mars Petcare into its next chapter. His track record for delivering results whilst driving ambitious change — with the customer and consumers always at the center — will help to ensure our business will continue to thrive in an ever-changing landscape,” says Poul Weihrauch, CEO of Mars, Incorporated.

Tom&Co

Belgian pet retailer Tom&Co Group has named Pascal Clouzard as Chairman of the Board of Directors of its holding company Petserco Holding, effective 1 January. He will replace Jesper Hojer, who will focus on his new role as CEO at Jumbo Supermarkets, a supermarket chain.

Clouzard has been a member of the Board of Directors since November 2023. He was previously the CEO of multinational retail corporation Carrefour in France and Spain.

“I am particularly excited to work even more closely with Pascal as Chairman. His deep retail expertise, strategic vision and entrepreneurial mindset are major assets to build the next chapter of Tom&Co’s growth,” Jean Richard de Latour, CEO of Tom&Co, says.

Pet Valu

Markham-based pet retailer Pet Valu has announced the appointment of Carmen Fortino to its Board of Directors, effective 12 January, succeeding Kevin Hofmann. On 1 April, the board will also welcome Matt Reindel, who will replace Patrick Hillegass.

Hofmann has stepped down from his position as a director of Pet Valu, effective 11 January, and Hillegass has announced his intention to resign, effective 31 March.

Fortino has been in the Canadian retail industry for over 5 decades. He is currently Executive Vice President, National Supply Chain and Procurement at Metro, a Canadian supermarket chain.

Reindel brings Canadian and international experience in the food retail and consumer-packaged goods sectors. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Empire Company Limited, a Canadian conglomerate involved in the food retail and real estate industries.

Wellness Pet Company

Kevin Penwell has been appointed Chief Customer Officer of pet food manufacturer Wellness Pet Company, effective January.

In his new role, he will oversee sales and customer strategy, sales execution, sales planning and operations, category management and customer penetration.

Penwell brings over 20 years of senior commercial leadership experience across leading consumer packaged goods companies. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President for North American Sales and Go-to-Market at McCain Foods, a global food company.

“Kevin is a proven customer-centric leader with deep expertise in sales strategy, revenue management and category leadership,” says Wellness Pet CEO Reed Howlett. 

“His experience leading complex organizations and creating positive partnerships with customers makes him exceptionally well-suited to help Wellness Pet accelerate its next phase of growth,” he adds.

Wuffles

Colorado-headquartered pet care company Wuffles has named Jamie Wilson as Chief Financial Officer, overseeing finance, data and people operations across the UK and the US. 

Prior to joining Wuffles, Wilson held several roles at pet food subscription company Tails.com, including Finance Director, for more than 9 years.

Before his tenure in the pet industry, he worked at PwC, one of the “Big Four” accounting firms, as audit manager.

Founded in 2020, Wuffles offers US-made, veterinarian-backed dog supplements.

Bühler Group

Bühler Group, a Swiss-based technology company serving the food, feed and advanced materials industries, including pet food processing, welcomed Samuel Schär as its new CEO effective 1 January. 

Schär joined Bühler 20 years ago to establish the Nanotechnology business unit. He later led the Grinding & Dispersing business area and, in 2013, joined the Group Executive Board, where he successfully headed the Advanced Materials segment for 10 years.

The appointment was announced in April 2025, and he succeeds Stefan Scheiber, who is being proposed as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) in February 2026.

Meanwhile, Calvin Grieder, the current Chairman, will step down after 25 years with the company.