H.J. Heinz Announces Senior Management Changes

H.J. Heinz Company has announced that Mr. Luigi Ribolla intends to retire from the board of directors and from his position as executive vice president and president - Europe on May 1, 1998, following a 31-year career at Heinz.

Ribolla joined Heinz Italy in 1967. After his first Heinz job as an internal auditor, Ribolla worked in Heinz Italy's finance and control areas. He was appointed sales director in 1973 and became managing director of Heinz Italy in 1978. Ten years later, Ribolla assumed the title of Mediterranean area director. In 1992, he was named senior vice president - Europe. He was awarded his current title in 1997.

Ribolla will be succeeded by Mr. Malcolm Ritchie, who joined Heinz in 1994 as managing director - Heinz U.K. In 1997 he was named vice president - European grocery and foodservice. Before joining Heinz, Ritchie was employed by Cadbury Schweppes, Premier Brands and Hillsdown Holdings where he served as chief executive - Hillsdown European Ambient Foods Group.

Edited by Beth Brindle