Mars Incorporated has promoted Alastair Child to the role of chief sustainability officer.
Child replaces former chief procurement & sustainability officer Barry Parkin, who has retired after a four-decade career at Mars.
Formerly VP for global sustainability across Mars Snacking, Child will take on responsibility for developing Mars’ overall sustainability agenda in his new role.
Child will guide Mars on its journey to net zero, as part of the company’s broader ‘Sustainable in a generation’ plan.
Reporting to Andy Pharoah, VP of corporate affairs & sustainability, Child will lead a team of 30 sustainability experts with remits in climate, coral restoration, community, packaging, data and analytics.
For the past seven years, Child had played “a critical role” in Mars Snacking, driving a strategy to embed sustainability across the enterprise, said Mars.
During his tenure at Mars Snacking, the company made significant strides in its deforestation-free palm oil and pulp & paper supply chains.
Mars Snacking also doubled incomes for mint farmers in northern India; led a wide range of sustainable packaging innovations, such as paper-wrapped bars; and helped Mars “decouple greenhouse gas emissions from growth” with programmes such as the Moo’ving Dairy Forward initiative.
“Alastair has established himself as a strong, well-respected leader,” said Pharoah.
“He brings a wealth of experience to the role and will play a key part in ensuring sustainability is integrated into every aspect of our business to help us build the world we want tomorrow.”
Child added: “It’s an honour to take on this role.
“With average global temperatures exceeding 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels for the first time in 2024, it is imperative that we continue to perform on our promises, and in doing so prove that sustainability is good for business.”
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