Emma Vass has been appointed to head up the UK operations of natural food company Wessanen as the firm unveils its new corporate vision.
Vass (pictured above) will primarily focus on driving growth across Wessanen’s four UK brands – Whole Earth, Kallo, Clipper Teas and Mrs Crimble’s – while increasing market share and awareness.
“Wessanen’s clarity of vision and passion for its products and people shines through in all that the company does,” says Vass, commenting on her appointment. “The authenticity of the brands here in the UK truly resonates with today’s consumers who are looking for honest, natural brands they can connect with. I am excited to join this dynamic and pioneering business at this key time and to have the opportunity to facilitate further growth and innovation.”
The authenticity of the brands here in the UK truly resonates with today’s consumers who are looking for honest, natural brands they can connect with. I am excited to join this dynamic and pioneering business at this key time and to have the opportunity to facilitate further growth and innovation
The appointment comes as Wessanen unveils its new corporate vision – Connecting to Nature – which aims to re-establish and strengthen the link between food and the natural world. Striving to be a ‘new kind of food company’, Wessanen says it will be working to a set of commitments and targets to further improve its environmental outputs, increase the health credentials of its products, build on its ethical supply chain and introduce more diversity and agility into the way the company operates.
Vass will be working closely with the group’s team in the Netherlands to implement the new guidelines across the UK.
Christophe Barnouin, Wessanen Group CEO, comments: “We believe the industrialization of food has broken a vital link between humans and the food we eat. So rather than to hope that more complex science will fix the problem, we believe the answer lies in connecting to nature. We have set out a clear roadmap for the business and agreed clear commitments up to 2025 with this in mind.
We believe the industrialization of food has broken a vital link between humans and the food we eat. So rather than to hope that more complex science will fix the problem, we believe the answer lies in connecting to nature
“We have created a strong portfolio of leading natural and organic brands focused on core categories in the UK. We are pleased that Emma has joined us to further accelerate the development of our business and help even more British consumers to make healthier and more sustainable food choices.”
Vass has over 20 years’ experience in the FMCG sector, most recently as UK general manager of herbs and spices business McCormick’s. She has also worked at Danone Dairy, Premier Foods and Mars.
Vass takes over from Gill Green, Wessanen UK’s marketing director, who has been serving as the interim UK CEO after the departure of Patrick Cairns in early 2017.
