Cott appoints a new member to its board

Cott Corporation has appointed Kenneth C. Keller Jr. to its board of directors.

Keller, who recently transitioned from global president of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company to chief portfolio officer in the newly combined Mars Wrigley Confectionery business, will serve as an independent director and also as a member of the audit committee.

" is a leader in the global consumer goods industry with significant international and route based delivery experience alongside a track record of driving top line and earnings growth," said David Gibbons, chairman of the board in a media release. " brings a wealth of proven executive leadership and is an excellent complement to our existing Board skill set."

Keller has held a number of leadership roles in the CPG space both in the U.S. and Europe. He joined  Mars as president, Wrigley North America in 2011 and earlier in his career served as served as chairman and chief executive officer of Heinz Italy.

Cott announced in July it was selling its traditional beverage manufacturing business to Refresco for US$1.25 billion. At the time, Cott said the sale would help position it to better grow its water, coffee, tea and filtration businesses both organically and with acquisitions.