pladis CEO Cem Karakas stepping down

Jim Zaza to serve as interim ceo during search for successor.

pladis CEO Cem Karakas

September 25, 2018

Pladis CEO Cem Karakas will step down from his executive role for family health reasons, effective immediately, the biscuit, chocolate and confectionery company announced Monday.

Karakas, who took the company’s helm when pladis was formed in 2016, will also take a leave of absence from his role as deputy chairman of parent company Yildiz Holding. He will be retained as an adviser to the United Biscuits UK Board.

Jim Zaza, pladis senior board member and chairman of United Biscuits UK, will step into the role of interim pladis CEO. Zaza has been an executive on the pladis board since its inception. He has previously held senior executive positions at Pepsico, Black and Decker and Eastman Kodak.

The board has begun a formal search and selection process to identify a new ceo.

Alyse Thompson has held many positions with BNP Media, first serving as an intern at Candy Industry Magazine in summer 2012. She joined Candy Industry's staff full time as associate editor in August 2016 after a few years at newspapers in West-Central Illinois, becoming managing editor in March 2019. Alyse has also served as managing editor of Cannabis Products Magazine since March 2019. She has bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from Western Illinois University.

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

On Demand Confectionery industry experts weigh in on the state of the candy industry, which has gone through the most massive shift in recent memory after grappling with COVID-19. While confectionery as a whole proved to be “pandemic proof,” not every individual category fared so well. Experts will share the insights they’ve gleaned over the last year, while also offering predictions on what’s to come.

To celebrate the 75th year of this prestigious award, we invite you to join us for an evening reception honoring its rich heritage and to celebrate the nominees and winner of the 2022 Kettle Award.

pladis CEO Cem Karakas stepping down

Jim Zaza to serve as interim ceo during search for successor.

Recent Articles by Alyse Thompson

24 products Hershey will showcase at the 2022 Sweets & Snacks Expo

12 innovations Ferrara will introduce at the 2022 Sweets & Snacks Expo

22 chocolate products we’re excited to see at the 2022 Sweets & Snacks Expo

15 non-chocolate products we’re excited to see at the 2022 Sweets & Snacks Expo

17 snack products we’re excited to see at the 2022 Sweets & Snacks Expo

Get our eNewsletter delivered to your inbox Twice-weekly!

Candy Industry delivers new product information, trends, news and insider perspectives to your inbox each Monday and Wednesday. You will also receive 'Breaking News' editions that will provide you news that matters most to your business.

pladis CEO Cem Karakas stepping down

Jim Zaza to serve as interim ceo during search for successor.

Recent Articles by Alyse Thompson

Related Articles

Report Abusive Comment

Get our eNewsletter delivered to your inbox Twice-weekly!

Candy Industry delivers new product information, trends, news and insider perspectives to your inbox each Monday and Wednesday. You will also receive 'Breaking News' editions that will provide you news that matters most to your business.