Press releases

Lenzburg, April 4, 2016: The Hero Group, on a mission to delight consumers by conserving the goodness of nature, has announced that its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) René Bänziger will be taking early retirement after more than 30 years of service to the company.

Bänziger joined Hero soon after graduation in 1986 in a junior position and has climbed through the ranks. He held general manager positions for Hero in Portugal, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands and Spain. Bänziger joined the Hero Group Executive Board in 2006 with responsibilities for numerous regions and holding various corporate functions before assuming the CMO role at the start of 2015.

“I have worked with René for a number of years and we will miss his experience, know-how, dedication, and motivation,” said Rob Versloot, CEO Hero Group.

Bänziger, 55, decided to retire early to dedicate himself to personal projects: “It has been a great journey and after being involved with Hero for all these years, I believe it is now time to move on.”

The Group has appointed Witte Van Cappellen, currently serving as Cluster General Manager Northern Europe, as its new CMO, effective May 1, 2016. Bänziger will stay on with the company to assist in the transition period.

Van Cappellen joined the Hero Group in 2000 as Director Operations before taking over as general manager of Hero Netherlands and subsequently Hero Benelux. In 2009, he took over as head of Semper AB and last year was appointed as Cluster General Manager Northern Europe, which includes the Semper business in the Nordics and Organix in the UK.

“It is a great honor for me to be able to take on such an important role within the Hero Group and I look very much forward to contribute to the further development of Hero,” van Cappellen said.

About Hero
The Hero Group is an international food company focused on branded nutritional food products. The company was founded in 1886 in Lenzburg, Switzerland, where its headquarters are still located today. Hero's main core product categories of Baby and Toddler Food and Milks, Jams, and Cereal Bars are complemented by its activities in the Decoration and Gluten-free product segments. The Group, which lives by its mission to Delight consumers by conserving the goodness of nature, boasts a global footprint and its portfolio consists of many well-known international and local brands. In 2014, the Group generated revenues of over CHF 1.3 billion.

Press contact
Stephen Chetcuti
Corporate Communications Manager
M: +41 (0)79 616 1467
stephen.chetcuti@hero.ch