Opening a New Chapter of Growth
ShanghaiMay 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Perfetti Van Melle, a globally renowned manufacturer and distributor of confectionery and chewing gum, today announced the appointment of Rita Ren as Managing Director for China, effective May 6, 2026. Based in Shanghai and reporting to Ian Burton, President of Perfetti Van Melle Asia Pacific, Rita Ren will be fully responsible for the overall business operations and strategic development of the Chinese market. She will succeed Ramesh Jayaraman, who is retiring after an outstanding 20-year career with the Perfetti Van Melle Group, and will officially retire at the end of May.
Rita Ren, Managing Director of Perfetti Van Melle China
Ian Burton, President of Perfetti Van Melle Asia Pacific, stated: “Ms. Ren possesses exceptional talent and extensive experience across multiple categories and diverse business fields. We firmly believe that this unique, composite background will help her lead the China team to new heights.”
Regarding her new role, Rita Ren said: “I am deeply honored to join Perfetti Van Melle. For a long time, I have greatly admired the company’s many classic brands, including Alpenliebe, Chupa Chups, Mentos, and Big Babol—initially as a consumer, and now as a business professional. I am delighted to contribute to the long-term growth of these brands in the Chinese market.”
As a highly respected corporate leader, Rita Ren brings over 25 years of multinational management experience and holds a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Hong Kong. Prior to joining Perfetti Van Melle, she served as Managing Director of Diageo China. Her career began at Procter & Gamble, where she held several key commercial roles. Additionally, she held senior management positions at JD.com, accumulating deep experience in digital commercial market operations.
As one of the leading companies in China’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, Perfetti Van Melle boasts a robust manufacturing system and strong product innovation capabilities. Its production bases not only serve the Chinese market but also export products to multiple countries and regions worldwide.