Caobisco appoints Marina Valverde as new Secretary General

Marina Valverde will succeed Sabine Nafziger, who served 6 years as Caobisco Secretary General and played a significant role in developing the industry association’s reputation in Brussels as the “voice of the European chocolate, biscuits and confectionery industries”.

Marina Valverde, a Spanish national, holds a Master’s degree in EU Law & Policies from Universidad Carlos III. She has over 20 years of experience in various EU public affairs positions in Brussels. Up to now, she has been working in EuroCommerce, the European Association representing retail and wholesale, on food policy issues including nutrition & health, information to consumers and sustainability. In this capacity she was responsible for developing lobbying strategies and providing expert advice on the impact of policy and regulatory developments for a network of 175 experts from retail associations and major European retailers.

Prior to working at EuroCommerce, she was in the European Commission’s Legal Service, working on simplification of EU legislation and helping business to find their way around the EU regulatory environment. She also previously advised a range of major clients on government relations in the agri-food area at Burson-Marsteller, one of the world’s largest public affairs and communication firms. Marina Valverde has also worked as a policy advisor at the Brussels office of the Andalusian regional government, as well as Assistant to a member of the European Parliament.