Lee Tappenden has joined the D2C kitchenware brand, as founder Daniel O’Neill steps back from the role.
Lee brings extensive leadership, retail and consumer experience, with over 25 years working Walmart Stores and Asda, where he held a range of senior management roles, including merchandising and operations positions, before becoming coo and then president of Walmart Canada.
Currently the president at Amyris international, Lee has driven the international expansion of the brand through developing strategic retail partnerships, and direct to consumer ecommerce and brand marketing.
Daniel will remain in the role until Lee joins the group in early October, and will be available to support an orderly transition. Having founded ProCook 27 years ago, the group will continue to benefit from Daniel’s knowledge of the business. He will remain on the board, transitioning to a non-executive director role, supporting the group’s continued development, with a focus on his passion for continually improving the range.
Greg Hodder, chairman, commented: “I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Lee as our new ceo. With his extensive leadership, retail and consumer background, his experience will be invaluable in leading ProCook through its next stage of development as we grow the business.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise everything Daniel has done as the founder and leader of this business over the last 27 years, most recently culminating in the Group’s IPO in 2021 and subsequently navigating the challenging market conditions over the last 18 months. He is responsible for creating ProCook and is an outstanding entrepreneur. He will continue to add value to ProCook through his passion for the business and its products, and I look forward to our continued work together over the years ahead.”
Daniel O’Neill, ceo, said: “I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished with the business over the last 27 years, now is the right time for me to hand over the reins to a new ceo. Lee brings with him a passion for what we have already created and is excited about opportunity to lead ProCook on the next stage of its journey.
“His extensive experience in retailing, specifically in a direct to consumer environment and in delivering growth, made Lee the perfect choice. I very much look forward to working with him and remain fully committed to supporting ProCook’s continued growth and performance.”
Lee Tappenden, ceo designate, added: “I am very excited to be joining the business at this stage; still in its infancy as a listed company and with considerable potential for sustainable, long-term growth. Whilst we are operating in difficult macroeconomic conditions, substantial work has been done by the existing team to ensure ProCook emerges stronger, and I look forward to building on this excellent platform.”
