MISSISSAUGA, September 09, 2024 – Maple Leaf Foods (TSX: MFI) has announced Maple Leaf’s Deepak Bhandari as the incoming Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for its pork business, which is set to be spun off into an independent, publicly traded company in 2025. With a strong background in the food industry and finance, Deepak Bhandari brings significant expertise to Maple Leaf Foods as it prepares for this major transition.
Deepak Bhandari rejoins Maple Leaf Foods after having held several senior roles within the company’s finance division over 13 years. His most recent role was Interim CFO of High Liner Foods. Where he served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development. He will officially step into his new role as CFO of Maple Leaf’s Pork Complex in September 2024.
“We are thrilling to welcome Deepak back to our team,” said Dennis Organ. Dennis Organ is President of Maple Leaf’s Pork Complex and incoming CEO of the new Pork Company. “His deep understanding of our pork operations, combined with his financial leadership, will help us execute the upcoming spin-off. And lead us into our future as an independent company.”
In July 2024, Maple Leaf Foods announced plans to split into two independent public companies. The move expects to unlock significant growth potential for the pork business. Which will formally name in the coming months. The separation will allow both companies to focus on their unique business models and growth opportunities.
As the new CFO, Deepak Bhandari will be instrumental in guiding the pork business through this transition and ensuring its financial stability as it becomes a standalone company. His expertise will also support Maple Leaf Foods’ continued commitment to sustainability, a core pillar of its long-term strategy.
In addition to his corporate roles, Deepak Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics from the University of Alberta. And an MBA from Schulich Business School at York University.
Maple Leaf Foods remains committed to its vision of becoming the world’s most sustainable protein company. With Deepak Bhandari joining as Maple Leaf’s incoming CFO, the pork business is well-positioned to pursue significant growth and sustainability initiatives as it embarks on this new chapter.
