Mars, Incorporated, the maker of brands such as Pedigree, M&M’s, and Ben’s Original, has announced the appointment of Alastair Child as its new Chief Sustainability Officer, effective 3 February 2025. Child, who currently serves as Vice President of Global Sustainability at Mars Snacking, will succeed Barry Parkin, who is retiring after a 40-year tenure.
In his new role, Child will oversee Mars’ sustainability agenda, focusing on its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Under its Sustainable in a Generation Plan, Mars has committed to halving its value chain emissions by 2030 and has already achieved a 16% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as of 2023 compared to a 2015 baseline.
Child will manage a team of experts specialising in climate action, sustainable packaging, and data analytics. He will report directly to Andy Pharoah, Vice President of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability.
Pharoah said, “Alastair brings a wealth of experience to the role and will play a key part in ensuring sustainability is integrated into every aspect of our business to help us build the world we want tomorrow.”
Child brings over 23 years of experience to his new role, including seven years at Mars Snacking, where he led efforts to reduce deforestation in supply chains, support farmers’ incomes, and develop sustainable packaging. Speaking about his appointment, Child said, “It’s vital that we meet our sustainability commitments to combat rising global temperatures and demonstrate that sustainability is integral to long-term success.”
