Confectionery company Cadbury Schweppes revealed chief executive John Sunderland would be taking a back seat role from next year.
Todd Stitzer, the 50-year old American behind a host of Cadbury acquisitions in the past three years, will take over at the helm in May.
Mr Sunderland, in charge for nearly seven years, will replace Derek Bonham as the group's chairman, initially on a full-time basis.
Cadbury, which owns Dairy Milk and Dr Pepper, announced the move as it confirmed full-year results should meet City forecasts.
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