Olymel appoints Daniel Rivest as chief executive officer effective July 2026

CANADA – Olymel, a major Canadian agri-food processor, has confirmed that chief operating officer Daniel Rivest will take over as chief executive officer in July 2026, following the planned departure of current CEO Yanick Gervais.

The company said the leadership change follows a well-prepared succession process initiated after Gervais informed the board more than a year ago of his intention to step down.

Gervais will step down as chief executive after a decade with the company, including five years as both president and CEO.

According to Olymel, the early notification allowed the board to organise a structured transition and identify an internal successor familiar with the company’s operations and market environment.

The board of directors approved Rivest’s appointment after his tenure overseeing day-to-day operations and performance across the company’s processing and commercial activities.

Planned leadership transition

Board chair Richard Ferland said the outgoing CEO had overseen significant organisational and operational changes during his time in charge, while confirming that the transition timeline had been designed to limit disruption.

Ferland added that the board had focused on continuity in selecting Rivest, citing his familiarity with Olymel’s governance framework and business priorities.

Rivest joined Olymel in 2016 and previously held the position of senior vice president of sales and marketing before being named chief operating officer.

Since assuming the COO role, Rivest has been involved in managing production networks, supply chains, and commercial execution during a period marked by shifting demand and cost pressures in the protein sector.

The company stated that Rivest has more than two decades of experience in food processing and has worked across both operational and commercial functions.

Advisory role for outgoing CEO

Following the handover in July 2026, Gervais will remain with Olymel in a strategic advisory capacity until October 2027.

Olymel said this arrangement is intended to provide institutional knowledge and support senior management during the first phase of Rivest’s mandate.

In a statement released by the company, Rivest said his immediate focus would be maintaining the current strategic direction while positioning the business for longer term industry developments.

The company did not announce any changes to its broader executive team or operational footprint alongside the leadership update.

Olymel operates multiple processing facilities across Canada and supplies domestic and export markets with pork, poultry, and prepared food products.

The company said further details on governance or strategic adjustments will be communicated as the transition date approaches.

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