MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO — In preparation for the spinoff of its pork business in 2025, Maple Leaf Foods Inc. announced Deepak Bhandari will serve as chief financial officer of the Pork Complex, effective in September.

Bhandari rejoins Maple Leaf Foods, where he had previously served for 13 years in progressively senior roles within the finance department.

“We are delighted to welcome Deepak to our team,” said Dennis Organ, president of Maple Leaf Foods' Pork Complex and incoming chief executive officer of the new Pork Company. “Having previously been part of the Maple Leaf Foods organization, Deepak has a thorough understanding of our pork operations and the landscape of the business. We look forward to his financial leadership and expertise as we complete the work to execute the spin transaction and embark on the next step in our journey as an independent company.”

Most recently, Bhandari served as the interim CFO of High Liner Foods and is currently the company’s senior vice president of strategy and corporate development. He earned his bachelor’s degree in genetics from the University of Alberta and an MBA from Schulich Business School at York University.

In July, Maple Leaf unveiled its plans to separate into two public companies by spinning off its pork business. Each company is primed for growth and positioned to be a leader in their respective fields, Maple Leaf said. It added that the name of the new pork business will be announced in the coming months.

Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Maple Leaf currently employs around 13,500 people and operates primarily in Canada, the United States and Asia.