DEERFIELD, ILL. — Brian Gladden has been named executive vice-president and chief financial officer of Mondelēz International, effective Dec. 1. He will succeed David Brearton, who will assume a new role that focuses primarily on the establishment and launch of the joint venture with D.E Master Blenders 1753 to form Jacobs Douwe Egberts. Mr. Gladden most recently was senior vice-president and c.f.o. of Dell, Inc., the Texas-based technology company. Previously, he was president and chief executive officer of SABIC Innovative Plastics, the successor company to General Electric Co.’s Plastics business, after spending almost 20 years in senior financial and operational positions at GE.
“Adding Brian to our leadership team will accelerate our progress in becoming the best snacking company in the world,” said Irene Rosenfeld, chairman and chief executive officer of Mondelēz International. “Brian has a proven track record in financial and operating discipline, aggressive cost management to expand margins and fund growth, and building and leading a global business services operation. This background, together with his extensive experience operating in emerging markets, creating shareholder value and developing talent, will greatly benefit our global organization and our shareholders.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Rosenfeld said Mr. Brearton has played a key role in many of the company’s transformations, especially in the split of Kraft Foods to form Mondelēz International and in the integration of the Cadbury and LU acquisitions.
“I thank Dave for his partnership as c.f.o. these past three years and am delighted that he’ll continue to bring his significant experience to the execution of our transformation initiatives and to the successful launch of our coffee j.v.,” she said.
Mr. Brearton has been c.f.o. of Mondelēz International since it was launched in 2012. He was named c.f.o. of Kraft Foods Inc. the prior year and helped to lead its successful division into two separate companies. He began his career with the company in 1984. Before being named c.f.o., he held a series of senior finance roles, including senior vice-president of finance at Kraft Foods International, and corporate controller.