Paper-based packaging solutions provider Smurfit Kappa Group, Ireland, confirmed this week that Tony Smurfit (left in photo below) has succeeded Gary McGann as group CEO, effective September 1. McGann retires from the group after leading it over the past 13 years. 

Smurfit Kappa chairman Liam O’Mahony noted that McGann had made a substantial contribution in leading the group. "The board looks forward to the Group’s next phase of growth and development under Tony’s leadership," he added.

Tony Smurfit has served as a director of Smurfit Kappa since 1989 and was appointed group chief operations officer in November 2002. He was chief executive of Smurfit Europe from October 1999 to 2002. The company’s board said it looks forward to the Group's next phase of growth and development under Smurfit's leadership

Smurfit Kappa employs approximately 43,000 people across 33 countries. It posted revenues of EUR 8.1 billion in 2014.