NORTHFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Kraft Foods Inc. said Monday it named Michael A. Clarke as president of its Kraft Europe division starting in January.
The 44-year-old comes to Kraft from Coca-Cola Co., where he had most recently been president of its Northwest Europe and Nordics business unit.
The company said Clarke will lead Kraft's European business, based in Zurich, Switzerland. He will be a member of the executive team and report to Chairman and Chief Executive Irene Rosenfeld.
The maker of Oscar Mayer hot dogs, Maxwell House coffee and Oreo cookies said Sanjay Khosla, president of Kraft International, will continue to lead the company's businesses in developing markets and report to Rosenfeld. He will also take over expanded responsibilities with leadership oversight for Kraft's global category teams in snacking and beverages in North America, Europe and developing markets.
Clarke worked for Coca-Cola for 12 years and before that he worked for Reebok International in general management, finance and operations positions throughout the world.
Clarke, who started his career in accountancy with Deloitte, earned a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Cape Town in his native South Africa.
Shares of Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft fell 26 cents to $26.70 in midday trading Monday.
