Velcro Companies in Manchester named Gabriella Parisse CEO. Leadership transition begins immediately with Parisse serving as president. She will assume her role as CEO on Nov. 1 when current CEO Jeff Malcolm will retire. He will remain a member of the company’s Board of Directors.
“Gabriella has a track record of success and brings extensive global experience across commercial, marketing and innovation in consumer goods and B2B,” says Malcolm. “She is the right person to lead Velcro Companies as we look to unlock the power of the VELCRO® Brand to drive innovation and growth around the globe.”
“Under Jeff’s leadership, we’ve strengthened our core business and positioned the company well to respond to customer and consumer needs with the best original fastening products and solutions,” Parisse said. “It is an honor to lead this wonderful company as we bring the iconic VELCRO® Brand to life through our differentiated portfolio, innovative product development and the ORIGINAL THINKING™ of our colleagues around the globe.”
Parisse has more than 30 years of international experience in consumer goods and B2B with a track-record in accelerating growth, brand building and innovation. Gabriella joined Velcro Companies in October 2018, most recently serving as chief growth officer.
Parisse spent 26 years with Johnson & Johnson, where she served in a variety of global senior leadership roles with increasing responsibility in marketing, innovation and business development, including President of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Italy and Vice President, Skincare for Europe, Africa and Middle East. She also served on the Executive Committee of Tate & Lyle PLC as President of Innovation and Commercial Development.
Parisse is the company’s first female CEO and one of many exceptional female senior leaders and professionals employed throughout the organization.
Additionally, Velcro Companies promoted three other employees to Executive Leadership Team (ELT) roles. Effective immediately:
Andrew Ellis becomes chief commercial officer – Americas. He brings a vast knowledge of our business and strong leadership credentials across B2B and Consumer to the role, including more than 20 years with Velcro Companies in a variety of global sales and marketing leadership roles across the organization.
Roberto Travella becomes chief commercial officer – EMEA/APAC. He joined the company in October 2020 to lead its EMEA B2B Commercial organization and brings nearly 30 years of experience in business development, sales and marketing to the role.
Chitra Ebenezer becomes chief marketing officer. She brings more than 25 years of marketing, brand building and communications leadership expertise to the role. She joined the company in September 2019 as Vice President, Global Communications & Brand.
Ellis, Travella and Ebenezer serve on the executive leadership team with Parisse and Doug McBurney, COO, and Ben Kaplan, general counsel and chief talent officer (CTO).
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