Mondelēz International has announced the appointment of its first Global Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Officer, as well as several company-wide diversity-boosting initiatives.
The global snacking company has appointed Robert Perkins as the company’s first Global D&I Officer. In this role, Perkins will drive efforts to advance diversity, inclusion, representation and belonging in all its markets worldwide. One of its goals is to double Black representation in the US management team by 2024.
“We’re delighted to appoint Robert to the role of Global Diversity & Inclusion Officer for Mondelēz International as we accelerate our efforts to promote inclusivity for our colleagues, our communities and through our brands,” stated Dirk Van de Put, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mondelēz International. “Our ongoing commitment to reflecting the diversity of the world in which we operate is essential to the success of our business and our mission to lead the future of snacking.”
DIVERSITY ACTION ALLIANCE
Prior to joining Mondelēz International, Perkins gained over 30 years of global experience in a range of retail, food and media enterprises. He has worked with boards and c-suite leaders to deliver talent management programmes that enabled business growth, at companies such as Foot Locker, Burger King and Sony Music Entertainment. Perkins reports to Paulette Alviti, Chief People Officer of Mondelēz International, as well as to the CEO and Board of Directors, given the rising importance of the D&I agenda for the company.
Mondelēz International has also joined other international organisations as a signatory of the Board Diversity Action Alliance. The aim of this alliance is to increase the number of racially and ethnically-diverse leaders on the boards of corporations, starting with Black directors. It is also accelerating change through enhanced disclosure of Board directors’ race and ethnicity, as well as through the annual reporting of its DE&I progress.
COMMITTED TO BOARD DIVERSITY
“Advancing diversity and inclusion across our business, and ensuring accountability for our progress, are essential to corporate governance,” asserted Jean-François van Boxmeer, Lead Director of Mondelēz International. “Mondelēz International is committed to board diversity, as well as to efforts to increase representation of Black leaders in its US business. I look forward to working with my board colleagues to help the organisation use its scale to increase its positive impact on the world.”
Over the next three years, the company has committed to addressing local and global opportunities to further racial equity and economic empowerment by expanding its D&I initiatives across three key areas: Colleagues, Culture and Communities over the next three years (as reported).
UNSTEREOTYPE ALLIANCE
These opportunities include mobilising its consumer-facing brands and leveraging its partnerships with agencies and advertising platforms to drive change, equity and inclusion. Starting in 2021, Mondelēz International and its brands, including OREO, Ritz, Cadbury, Milka and LU, will become members of the Unstereotype Alliance. This platform that seeks to eradicate harmful stereotypes in all media and advertising content. It will also partner up with FREE THE WORK initiative – a global talent-discovery platform for advertisers to find and connect with underrepresented creators.
“Our approach to marketing celebrates the human and emotional connections our brands create with our consumers: From racial inclusion to LGBTQ+ representation, our brands have a long history of ally-ship, advocacy, and standing up for the diversity of the world in which we live,” added Martin Renaud, Chief Marketing Officer of Mondelēz International. “We are excited to become partners of the Unstereotype Alliance and FREE THE WORK, and believe they are the perfect forums to ensure that we continue to drive diversity, inclusivity and belonging in our creative work and creative processes.”
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