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Kraft Foods' Europe president to leave

Kraft Foods Inc. said Wednesday that its Europe president, Michael Clarke, will leave next month to work for a U.K.-based public company.
/ Source: The Associated Press

Kraft Foods Inc. said Wednesday that its Europe president, Michael Clarke, will leave next month to work for a U.K.-based public company.

Timothy Cofer, a 19-year Kraft veteran, will take his place and be based in Zurich, Switzerland.

Cofer, 42, was most recently the senior vice president of Kraft's global chocolate team and led the global integration team after Kraft bought Cadbury in early 2010. He also has led the Oscar Mayer business and the U.S. pizza business.

CEO Irene Rosenfeld said in a statement that Clarke had helped turn around the European unit. The company gets about 24 percent of its revenue from Europe, compared to 47 percent from North America and 29 percent from developing markets.

Kraft's European business, which Clarke had led since 2009, includes Lu and Tuc biscuits and Toblerone chocolate, among other products. He came to Kraft from the Coca-Cola Co.

Rosenfeld said it was disappointing to say goodbye to Clarke, but that the move will allow him to be closer to family in the U.K. "We wish him the very best," she said.