Mr. David Crean

Mr. David Crean is Director of STRIDE Food R&D Consultancy Ltd and formerly Vice President of Corporate R&D and Chief Science Officer at Mars, Incorporated.

Mr. Crean is a seasoned business leader and food industry executive with more than 40 years of international experience in strategy, innovation, research and development, science, quality, food safety, talent development and corporate governance. He spent 35 years at Mars, Incorporated, holding senior leadership roles across Europe and North America and ultimately serving as Vice President of Corporate R&D and Chief Science Officer.

At Mars, Mr. Crean established global technology and research platforms, led product and business innovation, was active in acquisitions and contributed to profitable growth across emerging and developed markets, including the launch of more than 70 products. He played a central role in strengthening Mars’ approach to science, food safety, and quality, helping to develop the Company’s policies and quality management processes, and establishing the Mars Global Food Safety Centre in Huairou, China.

Since retiring from Mars in 2021, Crean has combined board service, advisory work, and investment support with various groups while continuing engagement in food science and innovation. He is Founder and Director of STRIDE Food R&D Consultancy Ltd. He established and chaired the Global Food Safety Initiative’s (GFSI) Science and Technology Advisory Group and has contributed to UN agencies (FAO and WHO) high-level food security forums, where he first coined the phrase “If it’s not safe, it’s not food”.