Gloucestershire kitchenware firm unveils new chief executive
Kitchenware firm ProCook has announced that the former boss of Walmart in Canada is to be its new chief executive.
The firm has been looking for a replacement for founder and current chief executive Daniel O’Neill who announced he was stepping back from the business earlier this year.
Lee Tappenden is to expected to join the company and the board of directors in the autumn.
The board carried out a thorough external search process as part of the group’s succession planning after Daniel O’Neill informed them of his decision to step aside.
The company has recently opened a new head office in Tewkesbury but has been hit by the squeeze in consumer spending and the rising cost of goods.
Lee Tappenden has extensive leadership, retail and consumer experience, having spent over 25 years with Walmart Stores and Asda, where he held a range of senior management roles.
His time with the business included roles in merchandising and operations, before becoming chief operations officer and then president and chief of Walmart Canada.
He is currently the president at Amyris International, part of the Nasdaq-listed synthetic biology company which produces sustainable beauty and health ingredients and operates its own family of consumer brands.
Lee has driven its international expansion, through developing strategic retailer partnerships, and its direct-to-consumer ecommerce and brand marketing capabilities.
Daniel O’Neill will remain in his role as chief executive until Lee joins the Group, and will be available to support an orderly transition.
Having founded ProCook over 27 years ago, the group will continue to benefit from his deep knowledge of the business.
He will remain on the board as a non-executive director role, supporting the group’s continued development, with a particular focus on his passion for continually improving the product range.
Greg Hodder, chairman, commented: “I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Lee as our new CEO. With his extensive leadership, retail and consumer background, his experience will be invaluable in leading ProCook through its next stage of development as we grow the business.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise everything Daniel has done as the founder and leader of this business over the last 27 years, most recently culminating in the group’s IPO in 2021 and subsequently navigating the challenging market conditions over the last 18 months.
“He is responsible for creating ProCook and is an outstanding entrepreneur. He will continue to add value to ProCook through his passion for the business and its products, and I look forward to our continued work together over the years ahead.”
Daniel O’Neill
Daniel O’Neill added: “I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished with the business over the last 27 years, now is the right time for me to hand over the reins to a new CEO.
“Lee brings with him a passion for what we have already created and is excited about opportunity to lead ProCook on the next stage of its journey. His extensive experience in retailing, specifically in a direct to consumer environment and in delivering growth, made Lee the perfect choice. I very much look forward to working with him and remain fully committed to supporting ProCook’s continued growth and performance.”
Lee Tappenden said: “I am very excited to be joining the business at this stage; still in its infancy as a listed company and with considerable potential for sustainable, long-term growth.
“Whilst we are operating in difficult macroeconomic conditions, substantial work has been done by the existing team to ensure ProCook emerges stronger, and I look forward to building on this excellent platform.”
