GODIVA, the global leader in premium chocolate owned by Yildiz Holding, named Nurtac Ziyal Afridi as CEO. The announcement caps her two months serving as interim chief executive officer in which she and her leadership team developed a three-year strategy to seize new opportunities through GODIVA's dynamic omnichannel structure. 
 
Afridi, a GODIVA board member as well as Yildiz Holding's chief strategy and growth officer, said she will work with her teams to continue making the company's popular chocolates and chocolate-inspired products accessible by extending its channels, which include online and FDM (food drug mass), to reach new consumers and engage with loyal consumers in new ways. 
 
Her appointment comes as GODIVA has sought to bring the company's chocolate to a wider audience and adjusted its business operations in line with changes in shoppers' behavior. Year to date, the company has seen significant growth in its consumer base, driven largely by Godiva.com and FDM sales.
 
Afridi said she's inspired to lead a Belgium-born, premium brand marked by nearly 95 years of craftsmanship and artisanal chocolate expertise. She aims to make GODIVA a destination for people looking to treat themselves in addition to the gift-givers who have been the brand's more traditional demographic. What started in the Draps' family kitchen in 1926 has become an iconic brand with a global footprint across 100 markets, reaching 4 billion consumers and making GODIVA a unique brand that's synonymous with the world's most delicious chocolate.
 
Looking to meet the needs of today's consumers, Afridi said she plans to grow the business in new channels and geographies, expand the product portfolio and augment the customer and consumer relations through digital.
 
She earned her MBA in Germany and a bachelor's degree in marketing and finance in Istanbul.

www.godiva.com