Curtis Frank to be next Maple Leaf Foods CEO

Michael H. McCain will step away from his role as CEO of Maple Leaf Foods in 2023 and will be succeeded by Curtis Frank, the company's current chief operating officer.

Curtis Frank (Courtesy Maple Leaf Foods)
Curtis Frank (Courtesy Maple Leaf Foods)

Michael H. McCain will step down as the CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, and will be succeeded by Curtis Frank, currently the company’s president and chief operating officer.

Meanwhile, McCain has been appointed as executive chair of the board. He will hold that role as well as the CEO for the next year as part of the management transition plan, and Frank will take over as CEO in the spring of 2023.

Frank has deep roots in Maple Leaf Foods, joining the company shortly after completing his university studies and has been a key contributor for his 21 years, with progressively more responsible roles.  He has served as president and chief operating officer, leading Maple Leaf Foods side-by-side with Michael McCain since 2018. 

“Curtis is a living embodiment of our leadership values, embracing the human side of leadership and delivering the results required to succeed in our progressive organization,” said McCain. “He is exactly the leader we need to further our vision.  He is ready to step into the leading role and set the course for the next chapter of Maple Leaf Foods.”

“While in a year’s time I will be stepping down as CEO, and removing myself from the day-to-day activity, my efforts as executive chair will shift into a new capacity more heavily oriented to strategy, stewardship, oversight, and guidance. As Maple Leaf Foods’ largest and operating shareholder, the McCain family is not going anywhere. We have deep roots in the food industry and in this business, and we are fully committed to Maple Leaf from my generation to the next.”

Under the leadership of McCain, Maple Leaf Foods has achieved an enduring and sustainable position as an iconic Canadian company. Acquired in 1995, the company has been transformed from an underperforming collection of diverse business activities into a focused, world leader in sustainable food production delivering enduring, superior value for all stakeholders. 

Driven by his passion to deliver long-term value,  McCain has led the company through decades of transformation, from foundation building in the early years, to reshaping the business portfolio, rebuilding supply chains, reinvigorating brands and ultimately pivoting to growth, supported by a progressive vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth.

New role for Geoff Beattie

Maple Leaf Foods also announced that Geoff Beattie, who has served on the board of Maple Leaf Foods since 2008, and as chair of the board since 2019, is stepping down as chair and has been appointed as independent lead director.  

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