Godiva announces key changes to Global Travel Retail team

Godiva Chocolatier has restructured its Travel Retail division as part of its drive to significantly develop and grow its global business within the category. 

In order to enable and accelerate the delivery of its travel retail growth strategy globally, Godiva has created a Marketing & Business Development function that will act as the “engine” of the Business Unit. Leen Baeten has been appointed Senior Manager Marketing & Business Development and will lead this function going forward.

Celine Leroy

Christoph Neusser

Diana Lingua

Leen Baeten

Godiva also welcomes Diana Lingua, who joined the company in April as Brand Manager. Diana joins from Mondelez UK, where she worked as Brand Manager in the domestic market.

The GTR EMEA Sales team has been reorganised in order to better react to market and customer changes. Ramon Iglesias will head up the team as Regional Director EMEA, after joining the company 7 years ago. 

Bettina Van Buynder will report to Ramon as Senior Area Manager Western Europe. 

Céline Leroy, who joined the company in 2013, takes on the role of Area Manager South Europe & North Africa. Also reporting to Ramon is Charlie Cassam Chenai, Area Manager Middle East & Gulf. The team will in the coming weeks, be reinforced with an Area Manager North East Europe. Next to their area-focus, all commercial managers will have Global Key Account responsibility for specific assigned Accounts.

In the Asia Pacific region, CS Lam has been promoted to the role of Senior Director Asia Pacific and will continue to head up the team in successfully further expanding the GTR Asia business.

Says Christoph Neusser, VP/GM Global Travel Retail: “I am convinced that these changes will help us drive our GTR-organization to the next phase of growth and is an important element of our strategy to significantly develop our global travel retail business.”

Starting in Belgium in 1926, Godiva has developed a world‐wide reputation for excellence with a presence in over 70 countries offering a wide range of chocolate creations. Inspired by the values of Lady Godiva, her passion, generosity, boldness and pioneering spirit, Godiva whatever the occasion. Perfectly combining its craftsmanship and heritage, Godiva's chocolate has become synonymous with luxury and innovation in Belgium tradition, bringing the best of Belgium to the world.