Petbuddy Group (PBG), a Swedish petfood and nutrition company, has appointed Paul van der Raad as its new CEO, effective January 1. He replaces Alexander Retzlik, a co-founder of the company, who will now focus on branded product development.
Van der Raad joins Petbuddy from Protix, an insect ingredients supplier for the petfood, aquaculture, and livestock industries. He has previously held CEO roles at Henne Pet Food and Vital Petfood Group in Denmark. His appointment is seen as a step toward driving PBG’s growth, with a focus on product innovation, sustainability, and market expansion.
PBG, established in 2018, has been expanding its operations, including entering the UK market through the acquisition of Thrive Pet Foods. The company mainly serves European markets but also exports to Southeast Asia, South America, and the US. Its brands include Buddy Pet Foods, Little BigPaw, and Nutrolin supplements, sold through retail and direct-to-consumer channels.