Antoine DE SAINT-AFFRIQUE

About Antoine DE SAINT-AFFRIQUE

Antoine de Saint-Affrique is one of the most prominent French executives in the listed consumer goods sector, serving as Chief Executive Officer of Danone since September 15, 2021, and as a member of the company’s Board of Directors. His career spans more than three decades and reflects a truly global leadership profile, shaped by experience in major branded consumer businesses, complex international organizations, and large-scale transformation agendas. He graduated from ESSEC Business School in 1987 and also completed executive education at Harvard Business School. He began his career at Unilever in 1989, where he held a series of marketing roles in France and the United States. In 1997, he returned to France as Marketing Vice President at Amora Maille, before rejoining Unilever in 2000. From there, his career accelerated across multiple geographies and business categories. He became European Director for Sauces and Condiments, then Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Unilever Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia. In 2005, he was appointed Executive Vice President for Unilever’s Central Europe and Eastern region, overseeing 21 countries. Later, in 2009, he led Unilever’s Skin category, and in 2011 he became President of Unilever Foods and a member of the group’s Executive Committee. This progression underlines deep expertise in marketing, brand management, operational leadership, and multinational execution. From 2015 to 2021, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Barry Callebaut, one of the world’s leading cocoa and chocolate companies. That role strengthened his reputation as a leader capable of driving growth, managing global supply chains, and balancing industrial discipline with commercial ambition. At Danone, he was appointed to steer a new strategic phase focused on performance, competitiveness, and long-term value creation. Under his leadership, the group has advanced a turnaround and value-creation agenda aimed at restoring growth, improving execution, and simplifying the organization. His profile combines strategic clarity, operational rigor, and extensive experience in international governance, making him a key figure in European corporate leadership.