OAK BROOK, IL - 7 June, 2005 -
Mike Roberts, McDonalds President and Chief Operating Officer, announced today that Denis Hennequin, Executive Vice President, McDonalds Europe, will become President of McDonalds Europe effective July 1, 2005. Hennequin will succeed Russ Smyth, 48, currently President, McDonalds Europe, who has decided to leave McDonalds after 21 years with the company. Russ is a great leader and a great person, said Roberts. I regret that hes moving on, but I know he is doing whats right for him, his family and the direction he wants to take his career, so I respect and support his personal decision. Denis Hennequin is a talented executive who forged a brilliant track record in France during his eight years as Managing Director there, Roberts added. His innovative ideas and strategic thinking have already contributed to the traction we are beginning to see in Europe throughout the past year and a half he has served as Executive Vice President, McDonalds Europe. We remain extremely confident in our people and in the strategies in place in Europe. Roberts also announced that Glen Steeves, 47, will become Chief Operating Officer, McDonalds Europe, reporting to Hennequin. Presently, Glen is Senior Vice President, McDonalds Europe, with responsibility for McDonalds restaurants in Northern Europe. Glen is another strong McDonalds executive who began his career working in our restaurants. He is a seasoned veteran with deep restaurant operations expertise and an enormous passion for our customers and our brand in Europe. Together, he and Denis will continue to build on the momentum of the Plan to Win in Europe, said Roberts. Hennequin, 46, has been with McDonalds for 21 years. In 1984, after graduating from law school, he began his McDonalds career as an assistant restaurant manager in Paris. In 1996, at the age of 36, Hennequin became President of McDonalds France. Under his leadership, France became one of the most successful, innovative and influential markets for McDonalds. On January 1, 2004, he was promoted to Executive Vice-President for McDonalds Europe. Hennequin and Steeves will be based in London. Steeves has been with McDonalds for 32 years. He began his McDonalds career in the restaurants, starting as a crew member in Canada in 1973 after finishing university. After 16 years in various field and operations positions, Glen relocated to Russia as a member of the team that opened McDonalds first restaurant in Moscow. During his time in Russia, he also helped build a thriving business there as Managing Director. In 2000, he was promoted to International Relationship Partner and over the course of the next four years assumed responsibility for the business in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and Germany. McDonalds Europe has more then 6,200 local restaurants in 51 countries with 250,000 employees and $6.7 billion in total revenues in 2004.This article has been read 309 times .
McDonald's
110 N. Carpenter
Chicago,, IL
60607
Phone: (630)623-6196
Fax: (630)623-5658
View all McDonald's News and Press Releases
For more information about becoming a McDonald's Franchise owner, including a franchise overview, start-up costs, fees, training and more, please visit our McDonald's Franchise Information page.