Mead Johnson Nutrition elevates three executives

GLENVIEW, Ill. — Mead Johnson Nutrition Wednesday evening announced a number of management changes under Mead Johnson president and CEO Steve Golsby.



“Given the growing size and complexity of our global operations, I recognized the need to refine our management structure in order to drive superior performance and operationalize our ambitious strategic plan,” Golsby said.



Kasper Jakobsen, currently the company’s president Americas, will assume the newly created position of EVP and COO effective Jan. 1. Jakobsen will head up the company’s global operating committee and lead all regional business activities, as well as global marketing and global supply chain, with overall responsibility for driving the company’s operational performance.



Charles Urbain, 57, will assume the new role of SVP stakeholder relations and chief development officer, with overall responsibility for the company’s business development activities and external relations, including external affairs, corporate communications and corporate social responsibility. Additionally, Pete Leemputte, 54, has been named EVP and CFO in recognition of his contributions to the business and his leadership responsibilities across the company’s finance, tax, treasury, investor relations, information technology and audit functions.



Jakobsen, 49, has been leading Mead Johnson’s businesses across North America and Latin America since January 2009. He joined the company in 1998 and advanced through several positions of increasing regional responsibility, including general manager in the Philippines and Pacific Islands and VP and general manager for South Asia. From 2006 through 2008, he served as SVP Asia-Pacific.



Prior to joining Mead Johnson, Jakobsen worked for nearly a decade at Unilever in various marketing roles. Born and raised in Denmark, he holds a bachelor's degree in commerce from Auckland University in New Zealand.



Urbain joined Mead Johnson in 1996 and has led each of the company’s regional businesses, as well as the finance function. Since 2009, he has served as president Asia & Europe.



Each of the executives will continue to report directly to Golsby.

Interested in this topic? Sign up for our weekly Retail Health Provider e-newsletter.