Rafael Lopez as CEO for Purina Europe announced

Purina announced Rafael Lopez as the new CEO for Purina Europe at 28 August. He succeeds Purina’s previous European CEO, Jeff Hamilton, who has assumed the role of CEO of Nestlé Americas.

Having worked within the Nestlé group for over 30 years, Lopez brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in strategic leadership, innovation, and brand development across the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. In this time, he has held multiple executive roles in Purina and Nestlé across Europe and Asia, Oceania and Africa, where he was instrumental in delivering transformative business results and fostering inclusive, high-performing teams. Most recently, Lopez held the position of Regional Director for Italy and Southern Europe of Purina.

His appointment as CEO for Purina Europe marks a significant step in Purina’s continued commitment to driving sustainable growth, deepening customer engagement, and advancing its mission to enrich the lives of pets and the people who love them, the company states in a media release. In his new position, Lopez will oversee the strategic direction and growth of the European markets, with the aim of strengthening Purina's market position through innovation and elevated experiences for pets and their owners.

He steps into this role at a critical time for the petcare industry, with it undergoing significant transformation driven by evolving consumer behaviours and preferences. Alongside rising demand for premium food options, nutritional supplements, and specialised care services, there’s also a growing focus on sustainability and delivering ethically sourced products.