Nexture appoints Valerie Diele-Braun as Chief Executive Officer
This appointment is part of a leadership transition designed to accelerate Nexture‘s international growth and integration of recent acquisitions.
ITALY – Nexture S.p.A., a global group specializing in the development and manufacturing of high-quality food ingredients and value-added solutions, has appointed Valerie Diele-Braun as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective March 2, 2026.
The announcement marks a pivotal leadership transition for the company backed by Investindustrial, which specializes in innovative solutions for bakery, pastry, beverages, and dairy sectors across 24 production sites worldwide.
Gabriele Del Torchio, who has steered Nexture since its 2025 formation from the merger of CSM Ingredients and Italcanditi Group, will transition to Executive Chairman to guide strategic oversight.
“I am pleased to welcome Valerie as Nexture’s new CEO,” commented Gabriele Del Torchio.
“Her extensive experience in leading global organizations with an entrepreneurial spirit, while driving sustainable growth, makes her uniquely qualified to guide Nexture through its next phase of development. Valerie’s leadership will be instrumental in driving the organic growth of the group, while enhancing its operational efficiency and driving performance.”
Ms. Diele-Braun brings extensive expertise in chemicals and ingredients distribution, having served as CEO of IMCD from 2024, following five years leading CABB Group, where she drove sustainability and growth amid economic challenges.
During this tenure, she also served as a member of the scienceindustries board, Switzerland’s premier life-science and pharmaceutical business association, and on the board of the family-owned Lehmann & Voss Group.
Her track record includes fostering long-term business expansion and innovation, aligning perfectly with Nexture’s ambitions to expand into high-growth markets such as North America and Africa following acquisitions, including Frulact.
Her international career has taken her across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, providing her with deep cross-cultural leadership and global operating experience.
Industry observers praise her global mindset and focus on sustainable practices, positioning her to accelerate Nexture’s ingredient-tech platform amid rising demand for customized, high-quality food solutions.
Del Torchio, a seasoned executive with successes at Ducati and Design Holding, remains as Executive Chairman to ensure continuity in Nexture’s buy-and-build strategy.
This dual-leadership model is expected to propel Nexture’s enterprise toward greater globalization and resilience in the competitive food ingredients landscape.
The move comes as the food industry prioritizes sustainability and regional customization, with Nexture poised to capitalize through Diele-Braun’s commercial acumen and Del Torchio’s vision.
Stakeholders anticipate enhanced innovation pipelines, strengthening Nexture’s role in empowering food brands worldwide.
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