EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Leadership Team
Eduardo "Ed" ROMERO
President and CEO
What was your career path before joining Hana Group?
Prior to joining Hana Group, I worked at Walmart Stores International, Chiquita Brands International, Procter & Gamble, and the US Army.
Is there a cause you care about? Do you support any associations?
I currently serve on the board for ReFED, a non-profit dedicated to reducing food waste through data, insights, and collaboration.
What are your passions and personal projects?
My hobbies include flying, motorcyles, hiking, and skiing.
What is your favorite Hana Group product?
Spicy tuna crunch roll!
How would you define Hana Group? What do you like about the company?
We're focused on delivering Hana Group’s purpose of helping everyone have access to healthy, great tasting food that sustains them and the planet. It’s a big stable company that still feels small; it’s a place where anyone and everyone can still make an impact.
Stéphane LAUGIER
Group CFO
What was your career path before joining Hana Group?
I started my career in the US in the tech industry. After that, I held multiple interim C-Suite positions, mostly in retail businesses with a focus on transformation across Europe. I am now Hana Group CFO.
Is there a cause you care about? Do you support any associations?
I care about the environment. I am also involved in the association Surfrider.
What are your passions and personal projects?
I am married with 4 kids who keep me busy! Hiking with family and a donkey on Stevenson trail (France). My hobbies include modern art, mountains and food.
What is your favorite Hana Group product?
Salmon rice sandwich!
How would you define Hana Group? What do you like about the company?
Joining a fast-growing company inspired by 2 great founders, and making affordable healthy and exotic food to consumers. I like Hana Group’s agile organization, entrepreneur mindset, innovation, serving 12 different markets in the world with a potential for many more consumers and channels!
Irina PRYADKINA-KAMIRI
Chief Human Resources Officer
What was your career path before joining Hana Group?
I have joined Hana Group in June 2020, as Chief Human Resources Officer. Prior to joining Hana Group, I have had 20 years of experience in various Human Resources roles in FMCG and Food industries, in France and internationally.
Is there a cause you care about? Do you support any associations?
I am currently part of an association "Club XXI century" whose objective is to promote diversity. I care about diversity and inclusion, as well as creating opportunities to people according to their talents and abilities and not only their social or ethnic origines, gender or quality of their network.
What are your passions and personal projects?
My hobbies include painting, traveling and spending time with my children.
What is your favorite Hana Group product?
Crunch salmon!
How would you define Hana Group? What do you like about the company?
Hana Group is an international company with a start-up spirit. And this is our great competitive advantage as an employer brand. I like the people in Hana Group: competent, simple and committed, dynamic and inclusive.
Amaya FAGOAGA
Strategic Initiatives & Product Management Director
What was your career path before joining Hana Group?
I was a senior manager at a strategy consulting firm. I worked in Europe, Asia (lived 2 years in China) and Middle East in retail, consumer goods and travel industries.
Is there a cause you care about? Do you support any associations?
I consider myself as a feminist and engaged towards more gender diversity and equality, especially in the work place.
What are your passions?
I love traveling, reading and eating (especially sushi).
What is your favorite Hana Group product?
I’m a big fan of our Poké Lé Lé Lomi.
How would you define Hana Group? What do you like about the company?
Hana Group is a fast growing, dynamic, collaborative and challenging company. There is always a project to launch, a problem to solve or a challenge to take on, surrounded by nice, smart and motivated colleagues. Our goal is to provide great-tasting sushi and pan-asian food to our consumers, while simplifying the life of our clients/partners. I love this fast-growing & challenging environment, the products and the people.
François MAROTTE
Group Purchasing and Supply Director
What was your career path before joining Hana Group?
15 years in the retail sector and 15 years in the catering sector as Purchasing and Supply Chain Director.
Is there a cause you care about? Do you support any associations?
I am active in an association called "Culture prioritaire" which supports pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.
What are your passions?
A very good cellar and a great traveller. I'm a fan of golfing, and sports in general.
What is your favorite Hana Group product?
Poké.
How would you define Hana Group? What do you like about the company?
Leader in show cooking in the Sushi market. To be the most innovative company on the market with a double-digit growth target for the next 10 years. I like the atmosphere, the business, the dynamics.
Country managers
Bettina AURBACH
Managing Director France
What was your career path before Hana Group?
I have been working in the food industry for 25 years. First at Danone, then for the last 10 years I've been working in the SME world (Albert Ménès, Cofigeo), where I love the dynamism and local values.
Is there a cause you care about? Do you support any associations?
I'm particularly concerned by the food aids in France, and I've regularly had the opportunity to work with Les Restos du Cœur and Les Banques Alimentaires, which are doing a fantastic job! In the same spirit, I'm also very concerned by anti-waste issues.
What are your passions?
I'm a mountain lover, in winter as in summer, and in all its forms (hiking, alpinism, ski touring, climbing, canyoning). That's where I recharge my batteries whenever I can, and if possible with my 2 dogs who come with me as long as the difference in altitude isn't too frightening!
What is your favorite Hana Group product?
The Box of the Month! Because I love all our products, and I never know which ones to choose.
How would you define Hana Group? What do you like about the company?
Joining Hana is a real adventure! You feel like you're on a high-speed train, with motivated, dynamic teams on board, but also a well-structured organisation to make sure you don't get sidetracked!
Guillaume BOYER
Operations Director France
What was your career path before Hana Group?
I first started my career as a strategy consultant in Asia at OC&C (now Oliver Wyman) with a focus on retail / FMCG with local and international clients. Then I joined the Carrefour group in 2016 where I took the position of Strategic Projects Director. I was involved in the whole transformation plan initiated by the new CEO Alexandre Bompard when he arrived in 2017, more particularly on the food transition, the issues of own brand, organic development and eCommerce.
Is there a cause you care about? Do you support any associations?
I support the charity “Envoludia” that works to serve people affected by cerebral palsy, neurodevelopmental disorders or rare disabilities.
What are your passions?
I am an avid sportsman, and I am a regular runner, cyclist and triathlete.
Is there a Hana Group product you particularly like?
The Love Menu!
How would you define Hana Group? What do you like about the company?
Hana Group is a specialist in sushi and Asian cuisine 'made in house' in front of the eyes of food retailers' customers. At Hana Group, we want every customer to have access to good products that are both accessible and of high quality. We ensure this by having teams at our booths that are knowledgeable and passionate about these products. I love the dynamism of the company, the passion of the teams in the field and the family atmosphere that continues to exist at the headquarters and in our kiosks around the world.
François LASSOURD
France & Corporate Business Development Director
What was your career path before joining Hana Group?
I have worked in large food companies for the last 30 years, mainly in sales, business development or country manager positions. I had the chance to work in mature and developing countries, with totally different challenges, and an opening to different cultures.
Is there a cause you care about? Do you support any associations?
I am particularly attentive to inclusion and diversity in a company. It is a source of wealth, and I have had the opportunity to invest in these points with different organizations such as Nos quartiers ont des talents, by mentoring, organizing meetings, testimonies, workshops and other events.
What are your passions?
I am a beekeeper, which has changed my relationship with nature. It is my escape, my place of abandonment and reflection, of calm. Most of all, it's an incredible, organized world from which we can learn a lot. Don't get me started on the subject, or you'll keep asking questions!
What is your favorite Hana Group product?
I like sushi in general. What I particularly like about Hana Group is the quality of the nigiri. The rice is well cooked but you can feel each grain on your tongue, and it is sufficiently vinegary to enhance the taste. In my opinion, this is our unique signature.
How would you define Hana Group? What do you like about the company?
Hana Group is a boiling gold mine. For all entrepreneurs, adventurers, it is an Eldorado. There is so much to do, the company is growing so fast. We are rolling out our culinary travel project for the greatest number of people, young and old, everywhere in the world, with a restaurant quality offer accessible to all budgets. Hana Group is also about inclusion and diversity on a daily basis. This is one of the company's great strengths, it is part of its DNA. Hana Group is about showing that everything is possible tomorrow, for everyone too. So join us, you have a place here!
Ashley TAYLOR
Managing Director United States
What was your career path before joining Hana Group?
My background is in retail merchandising and operations, I worked for Walmart US and International Divisions. Also I held leadership positions at Colgate Palmolive, Chiquita and Acosta Sales and Marketing.
Is there a cause you care about? Do you support any associations?
I am very active in the International Women’s Forum. I was selected to do a 1 one year fellowship through their program in 2017 and I became a member of the Forum in 2020.
What are your passions?
I love retail and every aspect of retail and food retail. When I’m not working, I enjoy living at the beach and recently started playing pickleball (similar to tennis) and am taking golf lessons.
What is your favorite sushi?
In one of my jobs I spent a substantial amount of time in Brazil. I had the BEST Salmon Temaki there. It is common to have panko or some crispy topping on temaki there, even Doritos are common. It remains my favorite roll and I want to go back to Sao Paulo to have it again.
How would you define Hana Group? What do you like about the company?
Hana Group is an exciting company that delivers healthy, sustainable sushi to customers around the world through a variety of channels. We will continue to grow and set ourselves apart due to our commitment to quality and ability to leverage global best practices across the markets we operate. I love so many things about our company! The transparent culture and ability to drive a business locally but be a part of a global team. Also everyone is very supportive and focused on growth. The US team is amazing and adding new talent to help us on our journey.
Jason DANCIGER
Managing Director United Kingdom and Eastern Europe
What was your career path before joining Hana Group?
I spent 4 decades in the food industry and I am enjoying starting my 5th...
Michelin Star Years - these years saw me in his chef’s whites with Roux Brothers and other luminaries leading to the helm of some of London’s most prestigious restaurants.
Café Society Years - my 10 year journey took the group from 4 to 160+ café bars in roles as diverse as operations director to purchasing & marketing director.
Premium Restaurants - quality restaurants were flying back with successful brands such as Chez Gérard, Livebait and Bertorelli’s. I acted as their commercial director running food development, purchasing, information technology and property functions.
Gastro Pub Boom - I joined the Spirit Group and put pub food firmly on the map, which became a significant growth driver both for their 3,000 pubs and for the rest of the industry.
Is there a cause you care about? Do you support any associations?
Huge supporter of enviroment and am member of Edie Sustainable Leaders Club and ensure CSR plays an integral part in what we do. This also includes our people and our community and so proud of our involvement with number of charities in the UK and Ireland such as the Fishermans Mission charity to which we have just been awarded the Partnership Award 2021.
What are your passions and personal projects?
Life! I love trekking as I have summited several mounts, and I row! I used to teach martial arts, have coastal skipper & advanced powerboat licence, cycled London to Brighton, am a divemaster & master scuba diver and on my speciality tagged sharks in the red sea.
Is there a Hana Group product you especially like?
I love simple nigiri, the toro belly of tuna, our growing veggie ranges, our stir fry’s, well cut sashimi, rainbow rolls … actually I eat our sushi every week & love it.
How would you define Hana Group? What do you like about the company?
We are all here to ensure everyone has access to great tasting high quality food that sustains them and the planet. The potential is breathtaking, we serve healthy delicious food and I adore my boss Ed who inspires us, mentors us and makes Hana Group a great place to work.
Ludovic MATHEYS
Managing Director Belux
What was your career path before joining Hana Group?
After a degree in gastronomy, as well as a few years in gastronomic restaurants, I joined McDonald's Belgium, which was a very rich experience. I have excellent memories of it!
Is there a cause you care about? Do you support any associations?
For many years, I have supported Télévie (which helps scientific research in the fight against cancer and leukaemia in children and adults). During my years of management at McDonald's, I had the chance to discover the Ronald McDonald's Foundation (support to families of sick children). I fell in love with this initiative! Today, I still support this cause, which I think is great.
What are your passions?
Gastronomy has always had an important place in my life. I enjoy making culinary discoveries and cooking.
What is your favorite Asian food / your favorite sushi?
I really like Thai food as a whole, especially the discovery of it. My favourite sushi is the rainbow.
How would you define Hana Group? What do you like about the company?
Hana Group is an expert in its field, invested in its teams and their well-being! The company performs well in the quality of its products. Despite its size, it remains a family business that listens to its employees. It is a large group, which, with great agility, builds with its teams, showing great confidence.
José Maria CALVO
General Manager Spain, Portugal and Italy
What was your career path before joining Hana Group?
I studied law and economics in university, and started my professional career in a law firm. Then I worked in the finance department of a hotels company for 5 years before joining Masao in 2013 (it was acquired by Hana Group in 2018).
Is there a cause you care about? Do you support any associations?
I'm very committed with humanitarian causes. I've supported the NGO “Cruz Roja Spain” for the last 15 years.
What are your passions?
I love traveling, and when it comes to sports, golf and ski.
What is your favorite Asian food / your favorite sushi?
I love woks, and when it comes to sushi nigiri is my favorite.
How would you define Hana Group? What do you like about the company?
Hana Group is a high growth company specialized in selling Asian cuisine in Hyper and Super Markets. The company goals are to sell healthy food with very good quality at a reasonable price, to get positive feedback from our retail partners and excellent feedback from our customers, and to do all this in accordance with our corporate values. I love the great teams we have at both corporate and local levels.
Alessandra Nannini
Managing Director Italy
What was your career path before joining Hana Group?
I studied Management at Bocconi and IE business School. I have worked in the restaurant industry in Operations and Business Development in several companies: Burger King, later for Italian BtoB Italian food scale up and lastly for a real estate company.
Is there a cause you care about? Do you support any associations?
I am very committed to gender equality promotion and support. I have volunteered for 7 years for a NGO promoting Women Empowerment and for over 3 years I have been a mentor for young women just graduating from university.
What are your passions?
I love to travel and I am a passionate reader. I enjoy sailing, fitness, and skiing.
What is your favorite sushi?
I love woks and pad thai. My favourite sushi is Nigiri.
How would you define Hana Group? What do you like about the company?
Hana Group is a fast-growing company specializing in the sale of Asian cuisine in the grocery channel. The company's objective is to sell high-quality, healthy food at an affordable price partnering with our retailer clients in order to satisfy our customers’ need in the best way. I love that the structure is very lean and the teams are all very passionate, competent, diverse and collaborative.
