Cargill has named Brian Sikes as its new president and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2023. With this transition, Dave MacLennan will assume the role of executive chairman of the board of the Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA-headquartered agribusiness giant and ingredients supplier.
Sikes (pictured above) will be the 10th chief executive in Cargill’s 157-year history and brings a solid track record of business operational skill to the role, having grown the company’s global protein and salt enterprise into an industry leader. He currently serves as the chief operating officer.
With broad experience across multiple businesses, cycles and geographies, Sikes has held leadership roles in the United States, Canada and Europe, and served as the head of the company’s Talent Center of Expertise.
“As Cargill continues to navigate dynamic global markets, both operational excellence and a clearly articulated vision driven by purpose and values will define the company’s success, and there is no better person than Brian to lead Cargill,” said MacLennan.
Sikes will succeed MacLennan, who joined the company in 1991 and has served in multiple executive roles, including chief financial officer and chief operating officer, before becoming chairman and chief executive officer in 2013. During nine years at the helm, MacLennan helped achieve outstanding financial results. Long-term strategic outlook and willingness to disrupt are exemplified by his leadership on the largest acquisitions in the company’s history, including Croda (bioindustrials), EWOS (aquaculture), Diamond V (animal nutrition), and Sanderson and Wayne Farms (poultry). In addition, the company built expertise in alternative proteins and has developed technologies and digital solutions to transform farming, supply chains and food delivery during his tenure.
“I am honored to succeed Dave,” said Sikes. “Under his visionary leadership, Cargill has a solid foundation, business model and culture that positions us for long-term success. Our 160,000 employees across Cargill are the best in the industry. Together, we will grow with customers, strengthen our core and thoughtfully target new markets to ensure we are a reliable, sustainable partner for our customers – today and in the future.”
