SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 6, 2025 – Mars, Incorporated, the global food and pet care company behind beloved brands like Pedigree, M&M’s, Ben’s Original, and a leading provider of veterinary services, has announced the appointment of Alastair Child as its new Chief Sustainability Officer. Child, formerly Vice President of Global Sustainability for Mars Snacking, will assume his new role on February 3, 2025.
Leadership in Sustainability
Child will be at the helm of Mars’ sustainability efforts, driving the company's ambitious Sustainable in a Generation Plan and pursuing the milestones outlined in its Net Zero Roadmap. This roadmap details Mars’ commitment to halving full value chain emissions by 2030, with the ultimate goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050. The company has already demonstrated progress, reporting a 16% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across its full value chain in 2023 compared to a 2015 baseline. Child will lead a team of 30 sustainability experts specializing in areas such as climate, coral restoration, community engagement, packaging, data, and analytics. He will report to Andy Pharoah, VP Corporate Affairs & Sustainability and a member of the Mars Leadership Team.
A Career Dedicated to Sustainability
With over 23 years of experience, Child has a proven track record in sustainability. During his seven-year tenure at Mars Snacking, he played a pivotal role in integrating sustainability into the business strategy. Under his leadership, Mars Snacking achieved significant advancements in deforestation-free palm oil and pulp & paper supply chains, doubled incomes for mint farmers in Northern India, pioneered sustainable packaging innovations like paper-wrapped bars, and successfully decoupled greenhouse gas emissions from growth through initiatives such as the Moo’ving Dairy Forward program.
Quotes from Mars Leadership
Andy Pharoah, VP Corporate Affairs & Sustainability and member of the Mars Leadership Team, expressed his confidence in Child's leadership: “Alastair has established himself as a strong, well-respected leader. He 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 shared his enthusiasm for the new challenge: “It’s an honor to take on this role. With average global temperatures exceeding 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels for the first time in 2024, it is imperative that we continue to perform on our promises and in doing so prove that sustainability is good for business. I look forward to collaborating with our partners, Associates and stakeholders to ensure we continue to grow responsibly.”
Honoring Barry Parkin's Legacy
The announcement also acknowledges the retirement of Barry Parkin, the outgoing Chief Procurement and Sustainability Officer, after an impressive 40-year career at Mars. Parkin joined the company in 1985 and held various roles across Commercial, Engineering, Business Development, Supply Chain, HR, and Sourcing. He was instrumental in developing the Mars Sustainable in a Generation Plan and a key thought leader behind the Mars Net Zero Roadmap. Parkin will retire from Mars in March and pursue new endeavors, including a sailing trip around the world.
Mars, Incorporated: A Commitment to a Sustainable Future
Mars, Incorporated, a $50 billion+ family-owned business, is committed to creating the world we want tomorrow through its business practices today. Its diverse portfolio includes leading pet care brands like Royal Canin, Pedigree, Whiskas, and Cesar, as well as popular food brands such as Dove, Extra, M&M’s, Snickers, and Ben’s Original. The company also operates a global network of veterinary hospitals, including Banfield, BluePearl, VCA, and Anicura, and its global veterinary diagnostics business, Antech, provides cutting-edge diagnostic capabilities. Guided by the Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom – its 150,000 Associates strive to create a better world for people, pets, and the planet.
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