OZblu blueberries is adding two high-profile executives to its growth team
Through a press release, United Exports, the global marketer of OZblu blueberries, announced the addition of two new executives to its growth team.
Doug Place will take up the position of Global Chief Growth Officer in early 2026. Place will lead United Exports’ global growth strategy, focusing on expanding the reach of OZblu blueberries.
Meanwhile, Luciana Vecco will lead the company's business growth strategy and client service model across the United Kingdom and Europe.
These high-profile appointments are a direct result of OZblu's rapid international expansion and are designed to solidify the company's position at the forefront of the premium fresh blueberry market.
A marketing mastermind to lead OZblu's expansion
Place brings along nearly two decades of senior leadership in the food and beverage, retail, and consumer goods sectors. His leadership, along with his innovative and impactful marketing strategies, contributed to the brand’s reputation as one of the most admired consumer brands across multiple markets.
“Doug’s expertise in business strategy, which results in strong commercial results coupled with class-leading brand leadership, will be instrumental in our continued expansion of OZblu blueberries across the globe," said Roger Horak, Founder and Executive Chairman of United Exports.
Most recently, Place served as Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at the iconic global brand Nando’s, where he led the brand in over 13 markets.
“I’m excited to join United Exports and help accelerate its growth, bringing the very best blueberries to consumers around the world,” he said.
OZblu bets on experience for the European market
Vecco, on the other hand, brings over two decades of international experience in fresh produce, retail, and agribusiness. In her career, she has specialized in driving sales growth, delivering innovative strategies, and securing long-term partnerships with major retailers.
"With her sharp insight into the European retail landscape, impressive track record of building successful teams, and wealth of industry experience, she is uniquely positioned to help accelerate OZblu’s growth and footprint across the UK and Europe," added Horak.
Luciana is also a trusted advisor in the agri-tech sector, having acted as an external evaluator for the European Innovation Council. Most recently, she served as Managing Director and COO of Agroberries Europe BV, where she doubled sales in four years, expanded into new retail accounts across multiple regions, and established a robust operational structure to support growth.
"OZblu's commitment to innovation and uncompromising quality sets it apart, and I look forward to expanding its reach and delivering its exceptional blueberries to even more retailers," Vecco said.
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