Richard Williams takes helm as CEO of Müller Yogurt & Desserts UK & Ireland

UK – Müller has appointed Richard Williams as the new CEO of Müller Yogurt & Desserts in the UK & Ireland.

The announcement was made on March 4, highlighting Williams’ extensive experience in marketing, commercial, and general management within the dairy and FMCG sector, spanning over two decades.

Williams, who previously served as an executive committee member and VP of Saputo’s cheese business, is credited with successfully leading a turnaround strategy for the company’s cheese portfolio.

His track record includes holding positions such as business unit director for Yoplait Europe at General Mills and spending seven years in Danone’s US dairy division, where he served as marketing director for four years.

The appointment comes as Williams takes over from Justin Cook, the former Jacobs Douwe Egberts MD, who had been serving as the chief executive of Müller Yogurt & Desserts since March 2021.

“I can’t wait to meet the team and get started at Müller Yogurt & Desserts,” Williams stated expressing his enthusiasm for the new role.

“It’s one of the most recognizable and loved brands in the UK, with an impressive private label business and products that are found in over half of the nation’s fridges.”

He emphasized the importance of being the preferred dairy partner for customers and outlined key focus areas for the brand’s growth journey, including innovation, marketing, quality, and sustainability.

Additionally, Williams envisioned contributing to the brand’s success and bringing joy to consumers across the nation.

Manfred Weiß, group CCO for Branded Dairy at Müller, expressed excitement about welcoming Richard to the team.

He assured significant opportunities for growth within Müller Yogurt & Desserts and anticipated that, with Williams in position, the brand will fuel category growth and drive more sales, benefiting the entire supply chain.

Müller UK & Ireland, wholly owned by Müller, is a major player in the European dairy industry, employing over 32,000 people.

The company develops, manufactures, and markets a diverse range of branded and private-label dairy products, sourced from 1,300 farmers in Britain, including a dedicated plant-based range.

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