Juergen Esser

Esser holds a degree in economics from the University of Bonn (Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn) in Germany.⁠[1]

In 1997 he began his career with PwC in Germany.⁠[2]

In 2000 he joined Danone Dairy Germany as finance manager. He went on to hold a range of key positions in finance and strategy, including Corporate International Treasury Director, Business Development Director for the Dairy Category in emerging markets, and Regional Finance Director within the Waters Division.⁠[2][2]

In 2015 he was appointed VP Finance of the global Evian Volvic World organization.⁠[2]

In July 2017 he was appointed SVP Finance of the worldwide Waters Category; in September that year his scope was extended to the Africa strategic business unit, covering all divisions of the Danone Group. He also joined the Board of Danone Waters and the Finance Board of the Danone Group.⁠[2][2][2]

In November 2020 he was promoted to Chief Financial, Technology and Data Officer and became a member of Danone’s Executive Committee.⁠[2]

On January 18, 2023, Danone announced the appointment of three Group Deputy CEOs with extended responsibilities to better connect categories and regions; reporting to CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique, they would drive the delivery of the Renew Danone strategy. Esser was appointed Group Deputy CEO in charge of Finance, Technology and Data, effective February 1, 2023. As of October 2026 he remained on Danone’s Executive Committee in this role.⁠[3][3][3][3][2][4]

In March 2026 the automaker Stellantis published the agenda for its annual general meeting, in which the board, on the recommendation of its ESG Committee, proposed appointing Esser as an additional non-executive director, saying his appointment would further strengthen the board’s overall capabilities and operational effectiveness. On April 14, 2026, Stellantis shareholders meeting in Amsterdam approved all resolutions by a large majority and appointed Esser as an additional non-executive director for a two-year term; the board then named him a member of its Audit Committee.⁠[1][1][1][5][5][5][5]

On September 30, 2026, The Venture RoomThe Venture RoomThe Venture Room is a UK entrepreneurial media brand centered on the YouTube channel @theventureroom. Through long-form interviews with founders and street interviews such as “Asking Millionaires How They Got Rich?”, it presents entrepreneurs’ stories and advice to aspiring business owners, and runs an entrepreneur community and brand partnerships.Open the full entry published an interview recorded with Esser in Boston, in which he appears at 6:04. He was on his way to the Barclays Back to School investor conference, where he and the CEO would present Danone’s strategic progress to investors. On the show he said he had spent 25 years at Danone and had seen many different regions and categories.⁠[6][6][6][6][6][6]

Describing how he became Deputy CEO, he said that five years earlier Danone had been underperforming and had not honoured its financial commitments, so he first concentrated on his CFO role and took two to three years to put the company back on a credible growth path; the company then entered a new phase focused on playing to win, and CEO Antoine asked him to enlarge his scope, which his responsibility for technology and data helped greatly. He said a CFO should not be a company’s brake pedal but its GPS system and safety belt, and that good CFOs learn to say yes to the right opportunities.⁠[6][6][6][6][6][6][6][6]

On opportunities in the industry, he said he was very bullish on high-protein products (such as Oikos, which is selling fast in the United States), fibre products under the Activia brand, and medical nutrition, and that the biggest opportunity today lies in addressing people aged 50 to 60 and over.⁠[6][6][6][6][6]

“Probably it’s about curiosity, which means never stop learning, going outside of your comfort zone, even if sometimes it’s a bit difficult.” He added that connecting with people starts with listening first, understanding their problem, and then finding a solution together. (at 6:41 in the video)⁠[6][6]

He said that of the hundreds of KPIs only two or three really matter: whether the company is growing, whether it can keep investing in the business, and “do you create cash? Because cash is king.” (at 8:03 in the video)⁠[6][6][6][6]

In a crowded market, “you need to offer value for money, more value than others for money”: a superior product that gives an emotional or functional benefit at the right price, designed for specific consumption occasions. (at 10:07 in the video)⁠[6][6][6]

“Be up front if the project didn’t work but here’s the one or two things I learned that will make me a better manager.” He said this helped him tremendously in his career. (at 12:50 in the video)⁠[6][6]

With a close partner you need to be able to talk straight and challenge each other, but privately rather than in front of the whole company; once a conclusion is reached, stand before people inside and outside the company and “talk with one voice,” otherwise teams are confused. (at 16:16 in the video)⁠[6][6][6]

Danone: Official website: https://www.danone.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[2]