LONDON โ British confectionary company Pladis has added Godiva Chocolatier to its $3.8 billion brand portfolio, which already includes several well-known confectionery brands, including McVitieโs, Carrโs and Jacobโs.
โPladis is a 180-year-old startup,โ said Salman Amin, chief executive officer of Pladis. โIt combines iconic snacking brands with a startupโs mentality and agility to offer products that continue to meet peopleโs evolving snacking preferences. Synonymous with artisanal and beautifully curated chocolates since it was founded in Belgium almost a century ago, Godiva is a perfect fit within Pladisโ global portfolio of beloved brands. I am delighted to welcome Steve Lesnard to the team to drive growth while upholding Godivaโs beautiful legacy.โ
As part of the integration, Pladis has appointed Steve Lesnard as the new president of Godiva, effective May 1. In his new role, Lesnard will work with Pladis to โtake Godiva and its legendary chocolate to new heights,โ the company said.
Lesnard is joining Godiva from the multinational cosmetic company Sephora, where he held the position of global chief brand officer and president of private label. Pladis said Lesnard also is credited with helping Sephora reach double-digit growth around the world in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other consumer packaged goods companies that Lesnard has worked at include Nike and North Face.
โIโm thrilled to join pladis as president of Godiva,โ Lesnard said. โIโve always regarded Godiva as one of the industryโs โ in fact the worldโs โ iconic brands, delivering exciting innovation while remaining true to its rich, almost century old heritage. Iโm energized by the opportunities Godiva has, to continue benefiting from Pladisโ industry-leading insights, extensive retail customer relationships, innovative R&D, and highly focused, profitable growth strategy.โ
Pladis said it plans to accelerate the sales of Godiva, specifically in the United States and China markets, by 2026.
