Mars Snacking Names João Belo Global VP, Corporate Affairs

The Appointment

Mars, Incorporated has named João Belo as Global Vice President, Corporate Affairs for Mars Snacking, effective January 4, 2027. Belo will report directly to Andrew Clarke, Global President of Mars Snacking, and will join both the Mars Snacking Leadership Team and the company's global Corporate Affairs Leadership Team.

The hire arrives at a pivotal moment for the snacking division. Mars completed its acquisition of Kellanova — the spinoff that brought Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts and Kind into the fold alongside legacy Mars brands including Snickers, M&M's and Skittles — creating a combined snacking and food business that Mars says generated $65 billion in net sales on a pro-forma basis. Integrating that portfolio and managing its reputational footprint across dozens of markets is precisely the mandate Belo inherits.

His Background

Belo brings more than 30 years of experience across journalism, communications, public affairs and brand-building, with international postings spanning the United States, Europe, Japan and emerging markets. He joins from Danaher Corporation, where he served as Chief Communications Officer and led global communications, philanthropy and community impact functions while also integrating generative AI tools into the communications stack.

Prior to Danaher, Belo held a Senior Vice President role in Global Communications at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where he executed a wide-ranging digital and communications transformation. Earlier in his career, at AbbVie, he managed global public affairs and played a central role in major product launches, as well as the integration following AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan — experience that maps directly onto Mars Snacking's own post-acquisition integration challenge.

"I am excited to be joining Mars Snacking at such a transformational time for the business," Belo said. "I am passionate about the influence and impact of Corporate Affairs — both internally during a time of significant change, and externally as we continue to grow our presence."

Why It Matters

For operators, retailers and foodservice buyers tracking the snacking category, the appointment signals that Mars intends to invest heavily in brand stewardship and stakeholder engagement as it digests the Kellanova assets. Clarke framed the hire in terms of responsible growth: "João's wealth of experience will not only benefit our ambitious growth agenda but also further our efforts to grow in a responsible way that supports our Associates, partners, and the communities where we operate."

Andy Pharoah, Global Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability for Mars, Incorporated, echoed that framing, noting Belo's "experience across complex industries and passion for modernizing communications" as central to the company's purpose-led growth strategy.

The snacking segment is one of the most competitive shelves in consumer packaged goods. Mars's expanded portfolio — now including both confectionery and savoury snack power brands — puts it in direct competition with PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division and Mondelēz International across multiple dayparts and retail formats. A consolidated, senior communications function is a standard integration move at this scale, and positions Mars to speak with a single voice on issues ranging from ingredient transparency to sustainability commitments that increasingly influence retailer ranging decisions. For more on how snacking giants are reshaping their leadership structures post-M&A, see our coverage of executive moves in consumer packaged goods and M&A integration trends in snacking.

Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.