Harris retires; Settembri appointed Nestlé Waters VP

After 39 years with Nestlé, the executive vice president in charge of Nestlé Waters, John Harris, will retire in late November. Marco Settembri, currently head of Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe, has been appointed by the board of directors to succeed Harris as executive vice president in charge of Nestlé Waters, effective 1 December 2013.

“Over the last 39 years, John Harris has made a strong contribution to the success of the company,” said Paul Bulcke, Nestlé CEO. “He successfully led the worldwide expansion of our water business and, in particular, our Perrier and San Pellegrino international brands. John was also instrumental in further developing Nestlé Pure Life as the world’s leading bottled water brand.

“I am confident that Marco Settembri, with his successful track record as well as his strong leadership and management style, will take Nestlé Waters to new levels of achievement.”

Settembri joined Nestlé Italiana in 1987 and was appointed managing director of San Pellegrino in 2004. In 2006, he was appointed market head in Italy in addition to his responsibility as managing director of Nestlé Waters Italy. In 2007, he was appointed CEO of Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe and, under his leadership, pet care became one of Nestlé’s largest and most profitable businesses in Europe.