IFF today announced the next phase of the evolution of its Board of Directors.

Kevin O’Byrne, chief financial officer and director of J Sainsbury Plc, has been appointed to join the IFF Board, effective March 10, 2023.

O’Byrne is an established financial executive with decades of experience driving sustainable growth. He has overseen transformation strategies for international consumer retail businesses.

He brings to IFF a deep understanding of the consumer landscape and evolving expectations of CPG customers, which will be valuable to IFF as it continues to execute on its customer-centric and growth-focused strategy. O’Byrne will serve on the Board’s Audit, Innovation, and Transaction Committees.

IFF also announced that Edward Breen and Matthias Heinzel are retiring from the board.  Breen and Heinzel both served as directors and members of the Board’s Innovation Committee since 2021.

In addition, Stephen Williamson, director since 2017 and a member of the Board’s Audit Committee, has notified IFF of his decision to retire from the Board effective March 10, 2023.

Dale Morrison, chair of IFF Board, comments, “As directors, each has helped oversee the development of IFF’s refreshed growth strategy as we’ve become an even stronger partner for customers across the global value chain for consumer goods and commercial products. It has been an honor to work alongside these three leaders…”

Roger Ferguson, incoming chair, IFF Board, says, “Kevin brings more than 30 years of retail and consumer goods experience and a proven track record overseeing numerous successful business integrations…international perspective will be critical as we capture new growth opportunities, execute on our productivity initiatives, and optimize our portfolio.”

O’Byrne is responsible for the finance, strategy, property, procurement and investor relations functions at J Sainsbury Plc, and he will be retiring form the retailer on March 4.

O’Byrne says, “IFF continues to lead the industry in delivering innovative solutions that meet the needs of today’s customers, and the company has a clear opportunity to realize its full potential. I look forward to partnering with Roger and the rest of the Board to help IFF become an even stronger industry leader, while driving sustainable, profitable growth.”