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Dole Packaged Foods Europe appoints Erik Hamel as new managing director

Dole Packaged Foods announces Erik Hamel as new Managing Director for Europe

Isabelle Spindler-Jacobs, outgoing Managing Director of Dole Packaged Foods Europe

Dole Packaged Foods has appointed of Erik Hamel as Managing Director for Dole Packaged Foods Europe, replacing Isabelle Spindler-Jacobs

Isabelle joined Dole in 2019, where she took the lead in relocating the business from Paris to Rotterdam during the challenging time of the Covid pandemic, where she established a fantastic office and team by focusing on diversity and valuing individuals.


Under her leadership, Dole Europe has gone from strength to strength through the exploration of new markets and route to market expansions. Delivering category growth in the UK, now with over 40 per cent share of total ambient fruits, and growing ahead of the category

Isabelle has overseen the relaunch of Doles Tropical Gold canned pineapple into major mults, along with launch of Dole’s 198g Pineapple and Tropical Fruit pots, perfect for a healthy on the go snack, gaining listings in Sainsbury’s and a first ever listing for Dole in B&M. Another first for Dole, under Isabelle’s leadership is the award-winning Add Some WoW campaign, where we stoked controversy for Dole by adding pineapple to the infamous Full English breakfast through a compelling social media and PR campaign that led to two awards.

Previous to joining Dole, Isabelle worked 17 years for Heineken in several roles.

Erik Hamel, will take over the Managing Director role from March 15. Erik joined Dole as Finance Director in 2020 and will continue to drive the company’s transformation, focusing on both short-term and long-term category growth, while promoting Dole’s sustainability work.

Before joining Dole, Erik worked for Heineken for over 25 years covering many different roles in finance, sales and general management across various European markets

“I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to continue our journey in which we strive to enhance nutrition through the goodness of fruit together with our stakeholders,” said Hamel

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