MINNEAPOLIS — Kendall J. Powell will retire as chairman of the board for General Mills, Inc. at the end of the year. The board of directors has chosen chief executive officer Jeffrey L. Harmening to succeed him as chairman of the board upon Mr. Powell’s retirement. Mr. Harmening will continue to serve as the company’s c.e.o.
Mr. Harmening became c.e.o. of General Mills on June 1 when Mr. Powell stepped down from the role. At the time, Mr. Powell said he would serve as the company’s chairman for a transition period until his retirement.
“Today’s announcement concludes a long and thoughtful process of leadership transition by the board of directors,” said Kerry Clark, independent lead director of the General Mills board. “We are very supportive of Jeff’s leadership efforts on behalf of the company since his appointment as c.e.o.”
General Mills recently restructured to move to one global leadership team with four business units reporting directly to the c.e.o.
“Jeff is leading the company through significant changes with a steady and thoughtful hand, and it is exciting to see the speed in which the teams are responding,” Mr. Powell said.
