Former Cadbury and AB Inbev marketing boss Phil Rumbol is to become chief executive of biscuit supplier Bahlsen.

Rumbol will be the first person from outside the Bahlsen family to take the role in the business, which is more than 130 years old and has an annual turnover of over £500m.

Most recently, he has been working for Bahlsen’s global marketing agency partner MullenLowe, which in 2017 acquired an agency founded by Rumbol.

Bahlsen said Rumbol offered a blend of business transformation, brand-building and commercial delivery in multinationals, combined with the entrepreneurial spirit of start-ups.

Bahlsen has also announced that Werner M Bahlsen will be handing the role of primary active shareholder over to daughter Verena Bahlsen.

“It’s an honour and privilege to become the first non-family CEO of Bahlsen,” said Rumbol.

“It’s a wonderful family business with great products and a rich heritage. Having spent time with Verena and Werner, I was drawn to the inspiring vision they have for the business and look forward to working with everyone to make this vision a reality.“

Werner M Bahlsen said the company had specifically searched for someone who shared its family vision and core values.

“Phil has a strong track record of business transformation, and Verena and I believe he is the right person to lead our company into a new chapter,” he added.