Lactalis Canada’s Mark Taylor Named 2023 Most Influential CEO – Toronto Food & Beverage Manufacturing by CEO Monthly Magazine

July 6, 2023 – Toronto, ON – Lactalis Canada, the Canadian dairy leader behind iconic brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia and a subsidiary of France-based Lactalis Group, is pleased to announce Lactalis Canada President & CEO Mark Taylor has been named Most Influential CEO 2023 – Toronto Food & Beverage Manufacturing by international publication CEO Monthly Magazine.

Since joining Lactalis Canada as President & CEO in 2018, Mark has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and transformation including leading the CDN$1.62 billion acquisition of Kraft Heinz’s natural cheese business in Canada in 2019, the biggest of-its-kind in Canadian dairy history. This transaction was followed by the integration of Ultima Foods Inc. and the Kraft Heinz Grated cheese business in Canada in 2021. Today, Lactalis Canada is the third largest country by turnover within the Lactalis Group, the third largest branded CPG manufacturer in Canada and has been named on Forbes’ list of Canada’s Best Employers.

“I am truly honoured to be recognized by CEO Monthly magazine as this year’s Most Influential CEO – Toronto Food & Beverage Manufacturing,” said Mark Taylor, President & CEO, Lactalis Canada. “At its core, my job is to work for everyone in the organization to create an environment that fosters collaboration, drives innovation, and enables success. Over the past five years we’ve been on a journey at Lactalis Canada that began with establishing a clear direction for the business, preparing for growth and now leading a profitable, responsible business that strives to continually improve for all stakeholders. This award is an acknowledgement of the outstanding contributions made by the entire Lactalis Canada team.”

Mark brings over 30 years of experience in CPG, specifically in the dairy category through various leadership roles across the supply chain from farm to consumer. Before relocating to Canada, Mark was Group Managing Director of Lactalis U.K. and Ireland from 2015 to 2018. Within the industry, Mark plays an instrumental role in the advocacy and development of a Grocery Code of Conduct for Canada. Mark currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Dairy Processors Association of Canada (DPAC), the Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP) and The Grocery Foundation where he also Chairs the Donations Committee. Earlier this year, he was appointed as cabinet member of the Feel Out Loud with Kids Help Phone campaign, the largest youth mental health movement in Canada.

The annual Most Influential CEO winners are selected by internationally renowned CEO Monthly Magazine based on comprehensive analysis and research to celebrate individuals who consistently show noteworthy leadership qualities and maintain a crucial role within their companies, always striving for excellence in every product or service that they provide for their clientele and customers. Read more about Mark and CEO Monthly’s 2023 Most Influential CEO Awards here.

About Lactalis Canada Inc.
With 140 years of brand heritage, Lactalis Canada is committed to enriching and nurturing the lives of Canadians by producing nutritious and great tasting dairy products. Named on Forbes 2022 list of Canada’s Best Employers, Lactalis Canada directly employs 4,000 Canadians, supports hundreds of farming families and contributes to the livelihoods of thousands of Canadians who provide essential services to Lactalis Canada’s more than 30 operating sites including 19 manufacturing facilities. The company’s iconic brands include Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, P’tit Québec, Balderson, Cheestrings Ficello, aMOOza!, Astro, Khaas, siggi’s, IÖGO, IÖGO nanö, Olympic, Lactantia, Beatrice, Galbani, and Président. Lactalis Canada is part of Lactalis Group, the world’s leading dairy company, headquartered in Laval, France. For more information, visit www.lactalis.ca

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Media Contact:
Sarah Sutton
Manager, Corporate Communications, Lactalis Canada
sarah.sutton@ca.lactalis.com | c: (437) 249-2730