LONDON: IG Design Group plc, a designer and manufacturer of celebration and creative products, said Wednesday it has appointed Gerald Kuehr as chief executive officer designate, effective May 1, 2026. He will assume the CEO role on July 1, 2026.
Stewart Gilliland, who has served as interim executive chair, will return to his position as non-executive chair upon Kuehr’s appointment.
Kuehr has worked with the company in an advisory capacity to DG Europe since January 2026, helping segments refocus on core business and develop plans to secure new business. The board cited confidence in his leadership as the group moves to strengthen profitability and long-term value creation.
Kuehr brings more than 30 years of international leadership experience in consumer goods. He most recently served as CEO of Partner in Pet Food from 2020 to 2025, where he repositioned the business into a pan-European category leader across 10 markets with 3,000 employees and completed five acquisitions.
Previously, Kuehr held senior global roles at Unilever, including global chief customer officer and member of the global leadership team. He was also an associate partner at Bain & Co. and spent 14 years at Procter & Gamble, including as general manager for Germany and Austria.
“Having worked with Gerald over the past months, I have seen first-hand the calibre of his leadership,” Gilliland said in a statement. “His energy and passion set him apart, alongside his exceptionally strong retail relationships across Europe and proven track record of delivering international growth.”
Kuehr said his time with DG Europe gave him “an appreciation for the strength of the group’s portfolio, the talent of its people and the opportunity ahead.”
No further information regarding Kuehr’s appointment is required to be disclosed under AIM Rule 17, the company said. Kuehr is not currently a director of any companies.