McCormick's Foley Promoted to CEO

The Board of Directors of McCormick & Co. has promoted Brendan Foley to president and chief executive officer for the company effective September 1, 2023. Foley was also elected to the Board of Directors, effective immediately.  Lawrence E. Kurzius will continue to serve as executive chairman of the Board.  

Kurzius served as chairman and CEO of McCormick for more than seven years. In June 2022, he transitioned the president title and responsibilities for the company's global operations to Foley. 

"Lawrence has been a transformational leader for McCormick, bringing our global flavor platform to life through his entrepreneurial spirit, innovative thinking, and growth-oriented vision for the Company.  During his tenure as CEO sales grew over 50% and market capitalization more than doubled.  Lawrence is widely credited with driving a period of tremendous growth, performance, and expansion including top tier organic sales growth and the acquisitions of iconic brands like Frank's RedHot, French's, and Cholula in addition to FONA, embedding Purpose-led Performance into McCormick's culture by championing the Company's industry-leading sustainability efforts, and successfully leading McCormick through the unprecedented global pandemic," said Michael D. Mangan, the lead director for the McCormick Board. 

Kurzius and Foley have partnered closely together on strategic initiatives to drive consistent growth for the company and will continue to do so in these roles.

Foley has been a key leader for McCormick for over nine years, serving as a member of the Management Committee, the Company's highest executive leadership team, since 2015.  He has held roles of increasing responsibility, including president US Consumer; president North America; president Global Consumer, Americas, and Asia; and most recently, as president and CEO, which includes full oversight of the company's supply chain and commercial businesses globally. 

Foley led the successful integration of McCormick's recent acquisitions, as well as the realignment of the Americas region to deliver scale, drive significant cost reductions, and increase commercial focus on growth and innovation.  Prior to joining McCormick, he worked for H.J. Heinz for 15 years in Marketing and General Management roles including president for the North America Zone. Prior to Heinz, Foley worked for General Mills.

"At McCormick, we are the flavor category leader from end-to-end for our customers and consumers, and I am extremely proud of what we've accomplished.  This required a true team effort; our management team is comprised of the best talent in the industry, and I am particularly excited to see my successor Brendan Foley leading the business forward.  With his passion for McCormick and elevation of our commercial growth plans and execution, Brendan has a proven track record of delivering results as a leader.  Moreover, he understands the importance of continuing our growth while ensuring we do the right things for people, communities, and the planet.  Under Brendan's leadership, I am confident McCormick will build upon our success, and I look forward to supporting our future growth in my role as Chairman," said Kurzius.