NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GODIVA, the
global leader in premium chocolate owned by Yildiz Holding,
today named Nurtac Ziyal Afridi as CEO. The announcement caps her
two months serving as interim chief executive officer in which she
and her leadership team developed a three-year strategy to seize
new opportunities through GODIVA's dynamic omnichannel structure.
Afridi, a GODIVA board member as well as Yildiz
Holding's chief strategy and growth officer, said she will
work with her teams to continue making the company's popular
chocolates and chocolate-inspired products accessible by extending
its channels, which include online and FDM (food drug mass), to
reach new consumers and engage with loyal consumers in new
ways.
Her appointment comes as GODIVA has sought to bring the
company's chocolate to a wider audience and adjusted its business
operations in line with changes in shoppers' behavior. Year to
date, the company has seen significant growth in its consumer base,
driven largely by Godiva.com and FDM sales.
"Afridi brings an impressive combination of business,
operational and finance expertise to GODIVA along with a strong
passion for people and nurturing talent. She has a proven track
record of powerful business results in corporate development,
which will ensure that GODIVA continues to capture
opportunities that honor its roots and align with its bold vision
for the future," said Murat Ulker,
GODIVA's chairman.
Afridi said she's inspired to lead a Belgium-born, premium brand marked by nearly
95 years of craftsmanship and artisanal chocolate expertise. She
aims to make GODIVA a destination for people looking to treat
themselves in addition to the gift-givers who have been the brand's
more traditional demographic. What started in the Draps' family
kitchen in 1926 has become an iconic brand with a global footprint
across 100 markets, reaching 4 billion consumers and making GODIVA
a unique brand that's synonymous with the world's most delicious
chocolate.
Looking to meet the needs of today's consumers, Afridi said she
plans to grow the business in new channels and geographies, expand
the product portfolio and augment the customer and consumer
relations through digital.
"The exceptional quality of our products reflects our rich and
beautiful heritage, dedication to innovation, and commitment to
using the finest ingredients. We will continue to extend our reach
and leverage an omnichannel approach to deliver on our beloved
brand, maintaining a strong connection with our fans and ensuring
our premium chocolates are more available and accessible to our
global consumers," Afridi said.
We continue to be very focused on leveraging digital technology
to anticipate the needs of consumers, exceed expectations, and make
GODIVA the most top-of-mind premium chocolate brand. I am honored
to work with my extraordinary team on these endeavors during such a
pivotal time for GODIVA," she said.
At Yildiz Holding, Afridi played an instrumental role while the
business transformed into a global snacking group with more than
300 brands available in over 120 countries. In addition to her
operational experience, she led the acquisitions of iconic brands
like GODIVA in 2008 and McVitie's, Carr's, Jacobs, and BN (United
Biscuits) in 2014, the latter of which drove the creation of the
pladis company, the third largest biscuit company in the world.
Afridi also led the licensing deal for GODIVA in Japan, South
Korea, Australia, and
New Zealand. In addition, she
spearheaded the acquisition and IPO of Sok Marketler, which is now
the second largest discount retailer in Turkey, and Bizim Toptan, the leading discount
retailer company in Turkey. Before
Yildiz Holding, Afridi held leadership positions at other global
companies, like Accenture and Arthur Andersen &
Co.
She earned her MBA in Germany
and a bachelor's degree in marketing and finance in Istanbul.
About GODIVA Chocolatier
GODIVA Chocolatier is the
global leader in premium, artisanal chocolate. The company was
founded in Brussels in 1926 by Belgian Chocolatier,
Pierre Draps. Nearly a century later, every piece of GODIVA
chocolate is still bursting with quality, Belgian craftsmanship,
and the world's finest ingredients. GODIVA has distribution in
more than 100 countries across the globe. Customers can experience
GODIVA at the iconic brand's chocolate boutiques, chocolate
cafés, GODIVA.com, and at many fine retailers. GODIVA is
committed to innovative and delicious food and beverage products
that exceed consumer expectations and create wonderful moments.
From its famous truffles and shell-moulded chocolate pieces to its
European-style biscuits, individually wrapped chocolates, gourmet
coffees, hot cocoa, soft serve and other indulgences, GODIVA is
dedicated to bringing the ultimate chocolate experience to the
world. As a socially responsible business, GODIVA has global
practices and programs designed to provide meaningful support to
cocoa farmers, safeguard our environment, and empower the
communities where we live and work. To learn more about these
powerful initiatives, visit GODIVA Cares.
About Yildiz Holding
Yıldız Holding,
headquartered in İstanbul, has over 300 brands available in more
than 120 countries. The company, which is 100 percent owned by the
Ülker Family, operates globally and serves a 4 billion population
with its 61 factories and nearly 65,000 employees worldwide. The
company is focused on confectionery (chocolate, biscuits, cakes,
gum, candy) and retail business. Yıldız Holding increased its share
in global markets with iconic brands like GODIVA, Ülker, and
McVitie's under the roof of a single company. pladis is the home to
beloved brands including McVitie's and Ülker and also distribute a
range of GODIVA chocolates exclusively for consumer-packaged good
channels around the world. In addition to GODIVA retail operations,
Yıldız Holding also owns two leading retail chain stores based in
Turkey – Şok Marketler and Bizim
Toptan. Şok Marketler is the fastest-growing retail chain in
Turkey, and Bizim Toptan is the
country's biggest cash & carry brand in terms of the number of
stores. Besides snacks and retail business, the company also
produces food, frozen food, vegetable oils, margarines, processed
meat and packaging materials. Besler, by far the leader of its
industry, produces consumer margarines, oils, industrial and bakery
margarines with its leading brands, BizimYağ and Teremyağ.
Kerevitaş, as the first frozen food retail company in Turkey, offers the richest product range in
the frozen food market with is SuperFresh brand. Founded within
Yıldız Holding in 2019 with the purpose of driving the
entrepreneurship ecosystem in Turkey, Yıldız Ventures supports innovative
business ideas with three different programs – namely Acceleration,
Incubation and Financial Investment. Gözde Girişim, a private
equity fund that is listed on the İstanbul Stock Exchange, is also
part of Yıldız Holding Group. Yıldız Holding has seven
companies listed in Borsa İstanbul Stock Exchange. Among them,
Ülker and Kerevitaş have been listed among the top public listed
food companies. The company and its brands contribute to society
through its social responsibility and sustainability activities in
the environment, sports, education, health, and art.
Media contact:
Tara
McTeague
Head of Global Corporate Communications, GODIVA
Tara.McTeague@godiva.com
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