Curaleaf International, Europe’s largest vertically integrated cannabis company, has appointed Miles Worne as its first president.
Miles Worne’s appointment as president is part of the Curaleaf’s long-term strategy to drive growth as the European cannabis market opens up to adult-use and to ensure continued expansion in the medical cannabis market. Curaleaf said the appointment of a president reflects the company’s commitment to capitalise on the changing landscape and opportunities within the international cannabis marketplace.
Miles Worne comes from a background in sports nutrition having previously worked as European managing director of Glanbia Performance Nutrition, the global leader in sports nutrition and weight management. During the past four years at Glanbia, Mr Worne grew brands such as Slimfast, Body & Fit, Optimum Nutrition and Amazing Grass across European markets.
“I am delighted to join Europe’s largest vertically integrated cannabis company, which already has a market-leading medical cannabis offering,” said Worne. “I believe Curaleaf International is ideally positioned to leverage the growing European recreational opportunity and will utilise my significant experience of building strong consumer brands in Europe to help take advantage of the growing momentum in the cannabis industry.”
Antonio Costanzo, the Company’s former CEO, will remain with the company in a consultancy capacity, with his role transitioning to focus on M&A and regulatory affairs.
Antonio Costanzo, Curaleaf International’s former CEO commented: “It has been an honour to have co-founded and served as CEO of Curaleaf International since the company’s inception in 2018. In that short time, we have built Europe’s largest vertically integrated cannabis company, culminating in the acquisition by Curaleaf Holdings in 2021.
“I look forward to working with Miles and the wider team as we take the company forward to its next stage of development and growth. The market is evolving considerably with significant opportunities across Europe, and I look forward to applying my significant regulatory and M&A experience to help drive the company forward as the global industry leader.”
There is meaningful momentum and a growing acceptance for cannabis in Europe, with a recent European wide poll conducted by Hanway Associates showing that more than half of Europeans in eight countries support adult-use cannabis legalisation and support the highest levels of regulation.
Of particular importance to European consumers was companies’ adherence to the highest standard of service and regulation in their approach to legal recreational cannabis in a regulated retail offering.
In addition to the growing acceptance amongst consumers for recreational cannabis, several governments in Europe have taken steps towards legalising cannabis. Notably, Germany’s government has committed to legalising recreational cannabis in the next one to two years. In addition, Spain recently announced it will be creating regulations to allow medical cannabis and Switzerland has removed medical cannabis access limitations following a rise in demand.
“We are extremely excited by the growing opportunity for cannabis across Europe and beyond and are bullishly optimistic for the next few years as cultural and government acceptance grows,” Matt Darin, CEO of Curaleaf Holdings Inc, added. “I would also like to thank Antonio Costanzo for what he has achieved as CEO of Curaleaf International, in building Europe’s largest vertically integrated cannabis company. Antonio’s experience in M&A and regulatory savvy will be invaluable to Curaleaf International as we capitalise on the growing European opportunity.”
