International food producer, Cargill, has announced the appointment of David MacLennan as the corporation's next chief executive officer, effective from December 1, 2013.

MacLennan succeeds Gregory Page and retains his present title of president. He will also continue his services as the corporation's director.    

MacLennan, who is currently the chief operating officer of the company, has held various leadership positions within the financial, risk management, energy and animal protein businesses in the US, UK and Switzerland. In 2008, he was made the chief financial officer.

In addition to being a part of Cargill's Board of Directors, MacLennan presently serves on the board of directors of CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc and the Greater Minneapolis St Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership (Greater MSP).

Before joining Cargill in 1991, MacLennan was previously the senior vice president of LIT America in Chicago, US, as well as president of Fixed Income Capital Markets at the US Bancorp Piper Jaffray in Minneapolis.

MacLennan holds a bachelor's degree from Amherst College, US, and a master of business administration from the University of Chicago.

Cargill's outgoing CEO, Gregory Page, will continue to lead the board as executive chairman and will represent the company in a variety of interactions and public forums with customers and policymakers.

Cargill's chief risk officer, Emery Koenig, is made vice chairman and will continue to serve his current role.