ABF Ingredients Hires Jeremy Xu as CEO

ABF Ingredients, a global leader in specialty ingredients, today announced that Jeremy Xu will join the company as Chief Executive Officer on 9 April 2024.

Xu, who is currently SVP, Chief Innovation Officer and President of Global Healthful Solutions at Ingredion, will take responsibility for leading ABFI’s next phase of growth, driven by investment to enhance capability in both research and development and commercial activities.

He brings significant global ingredients experience in growth strategy, R&D and technological innovation. In addition to his leadership role at Ingredion, which he joined in 2020, Xu’s 30-year career has included work with Dupont and DSM across Asia, Europe and the United States.

Fabienne Saadane-Oaks, who has been CEO of ABFI since 2015, will retire from the company and from executive life in April 2024 after 35 years in specialty ingredients, including nine at ABFI. Her tenure has seen the ABFI portfolio grow from four businesses to seven: AB Biotek Human Nutrition and Health, AB Enzymes, ABITEC, Fytexia, Ohly, PGP International and SPI Pharma.

ABFI is the specialty ingredients division of the London-listed Associated British Foods group of companies. In November 2023, ABF’s overall Ingredients segment posted full-year revenue of £2,157m and an adjusted operating profit of £214m.

Jeremy Xu, CEO-designate at ABFI, said: “I have long admired ABFI from afar and am excited at this opportunity to lead the next stage of its growth. Each of ABFI’s businesses is synonymous with excellence in specialty ingredients. They all have distinct identities, but are united by their shared business philosophy and the strength of their deeply impressive leadership teams. I look forward to working with my new colleagues at the businesses and within the wider ABF Group.”