Poul Weihrauch’s leadership approach is shaped by a deep commitment to balancing profit with purpose, a philosophy that has guided his strategic decisions as CEO of Mars. He believes that business success is not achieved through financial growth alone, but also through making a positive societal impact. Under his leadership, Mars has embraced sustainability initiatives and worked to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, breaking the carbon curve while continuing to grow its business. This dual focus has not only shaped the company's trajectory but also motivated employees to actively participate in its sustainability efforts.
Weihrauch took over as CEO of Mars in September 2022, after more than 20 years with the company. His career has spanned various segments of Mars, including petcare, snacking, and food and nutrition. Before becoming CEO, he served as President of Mars Global Petcare, where he was instrumental in transforming the division from its focus on pet food to a comprehensive petcare ecosystem. Weihrauch’s leadership is deeply rooted in Mars' foundational principles of trust, shared responsibility, and long-term impact, a testament to his strong belief that businesses should create value for all stakeholders, including consumers, employees, and the planet.
A key driver of Mars' success under Weihrauch’s leadership is the Mars Compass, a set of principles guiding the company's decisions with an emphasis on stakeholder impact. Mars has consistently performed well in areas of consumer and employee trust while maintaining profitable growth. Weihrauch has also emphasized the importance of listening to both employees and consumers, ensuring that Mars evolves in response to changing market dynamics. This combination of purpose, sustainability, and strategic growth positions Mars to navigate the challenges of today’s business environment while staying true to its values.