The Paris-based Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) today announced that Cenk Gürol, group chief SCM officer, Aeon Co., Ltd., and president, Aeon Global SCM Co., Ltd., Japan, has been appointed as its new Board chairman. Succeeding Yves Rey, corporate quality general manager, Danone, in the position, Gürol will begin his two-year term in March.

The newly elected vice chairs of GFSI are Mike Robach, vice president, food safety, quality and regulatory affairs, Cargill, USA, and Neil Marshall, global director, quality & food safety strategy, policy and programs, The Coca-Cola Company, USA.

As chair of the GFSI Board for the last two years, Rey has played an important role in setting the direction for the Initiative. Under his chairmanship, GFSI has progressed rapidly with its geographical expansion strategy, including the set-up of the first GFSI Local Groups. Rey has been a strong advocate for collaboration between the private and public sectors and has contributed to building partnerships with key stakeholders. Rey will continue to serve on the GFSI Board of Directors.

Commenting on Gürol's appointment as Board chair, Rey said: “The GFSI Board is delighted that Cenk has agreed to take up this role. The Initiative has gained colossal momentum over the last few years in many countries. Among other objectives, GFSI has a key role to play in supporting smaller suppliers in different parts of the world to build their capacity and ensure the development of effective food safety management systems. Given the growing importance of Asia and its role in the global supply chain, GFSI needs to grow its presence in this part of the world. I believe that Cenk will be instrumental in leading GFSI’s work both in Asia and around the world.”

Gürol added, “Over the years, GFSI has been instrumental in mapping the food supply chain and substantially improving it through collaboration with key stakeholders to accomplish real change and continuous improvement. I... look forward to working with the leading food safety experts to carry this work forward. GFSI is uniquely positioned to drive progress in the field of food safety globally and I’m convinced that together we can achieve tremendous results.”

For more information, see the GFSI website.