CEO Insights Magazine

In the contemporary business landscape, Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) bear the responsibility of navigating a myriad of challenges arising from the rapid evolution of technology. A competent CTO is indispensable, serving as the linchpin between innovative technological solutions and overarching business strategies.

Hanno Cappon, as the Chief Technology Officer at Health & Happiness (H&H) Group, exemplifies these qualities with a keen ability to harmonize intricate technological landscapes with strategic business objectives. His commitment to scientific advancements and innovation has been a driving force in propelling Health & Happiness towards being a global leader in research & development in the health and wellness sector, reflecting the pivotal role that a competent CTO plays in steering a company toward technological excellence and sustainable growth. Engaging in an idiosyncratic interaction with CEO Insights Asia magazine, Hanno shares the imperious details of his journey and future road map for Health and Happiness. Let’s hear it from him.

Can you summarize Health and Happiness (H&H) Group’s essence, mission, and current market position?

At Health & Happiness, our essence is centered on fostering health and happiness in every stage of life. I personally admire our company name as it says exactly what we stand for, as we focus on providing support for overall health and well-being and preventative healthcare. Our offering extends from infants to seniors, and includes beloved pets, offering a diverse range of products for the entire family. Our heritage is in the human microbiome and infant nutrition and we have successfully extended into a broad nutritional supplements portfolio for all life stages. With around $2 billion in size, we strike a balance which is substantial enough for global impact, yet agile enough to maintain an entrepreneurial spirit. Our collaborative, close-knit teams ensure a people-centric approach, making Health & Happiness an impactful and distinctive player in the health and wellness landscape.

How does H&H incorporate technology trends in the health sector, and what specific interventions have been adopted?

Our approach involves leveraging nutritional, botanical and biotic ingredients to craft products seamlessly integrated into people's daily routines, providing efficient solutions for nutrition and health. We meticulously study and validate ingredients with proven impacts on the human body. In my previous experience, this has extended to groundbreaking work, like developing medical nutrition for people with early-onset mild cognitive impairment (MCI). While not a cure-all, nourishing the brain through targeted nutrition contributes significantly to people’s cognitive health and quality of life. At Health & Happiness, we apply similar principles to nourishing the skin for vitality, our bones, joints and muscles for mobility and our microbiomes to mature and maintain a healthy immune system. There are clear and fast emerging trends in biotics (pre, pro, postbiotics) and concurrently in precision fermentation. Biotics positively impact various health issues though our gut and skin microbiomes and precision fermentation provides manufacturing technologies for sustainable processing. Interestingly, consumers are keeping more and more at pace with the scientific progress in these fields, and digital tools and diagnostic are bringing science to people’s homes, which allows for meaningful science-based and consumer-targeted innovations in precision nutrition.

What's your leadership philosophy at H&H? Share the key principles or methodologies you follow.

My leadership philosophy at Health & Happiness centers on cultivating a robust, empowered and diverse teams where each member is in sync with their intrinsic motivations. This requires openness, transparency, authenticity and trust. Beyond mere capabilities, I emphasize placing the right people in the right roles, tapping into individual passions to create a seamless and joined-up flow of energy and enthusiasm. As an eternal optimist, I infuse positivity and resilience into the workplace, always seeing opportunities within challenges. Leadership, for me, involves providing perspectives, guiding, coaching, and empowering individuals to pursue their drivers. I aim to create conditions for success, enabling contiI aim to instill a sense of purpose and create conditions for success, enabling continuous progress and collective achievement of meaningful goals and instigate positivity in our journey at Health & Happiness.

What's the future vision for H&H? Any specific goals or strategic directions?

Our future vision is profoundly positive, aligned with our uplifting name and overarching purpose. We see growth opportunities everywhere; in every category and geography we engage with. As we expand, our goal is to make a significant impact on the health and happiness of individuals, families and pets globally. The positive mindset embedded in our culture propels us to invest, grow, and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of individuals and communities. Providing premium products that work, through all our brands, we have important principles in 'Quality First' and using proven ingredients, and we aim to progressively integrate sustainability in everything we do, from sourcing, quality-and-sustainability-by-design, packaging and our supply chains.

With your industry experience, what advice do you have for emerging leaders in health and wellness? Any key insights to share?

My advice is to connect deeply with your team members' intrinsic motivations. Tailor your leadership approach to honor their unique passions and strengths. Embrace the diverse styles within your team, drawing inspiration from the principles of high-performance teams. Always stay curious, adaptable, infuse positivity into your leadership, and drive initiatives with a genuine sense of optimism. It's about creating a personalized, purpose-driven environment that taps into everyone's unique potential. Embrace and leverage partnerships and collaborations, internally and externally, no-one can innovate on their own. And while speed is key in innovation, remember, the best way to accelerate is to start early.

Hanno Cappon, Chief Technology Officer, Health and Happiness (H&H) Group

Hanno Cappon, a seasoned professional with a foundation in chemical engineering, holds a PhD in biosciences and a postdoctoral study in food physics. With a career journey spanning pharmacology to nutrition at Nutricia, Danone, Bayer and now Health & Happiness, Hanno's interest in how molecules impact the human body and health has been a driving force. His defining mantra, 'Standstill no option,' encapsulates his relentless pursuit of progress and innovation. As a leader, he navigates the ever-evolving landscape of Science and Technology, embodying a commitment to continuous advancement and daily achievements in shaping a healthier world.

Favorite Hobbies: Cooking, Travelling, Running, Wining & Dining

Favorite Cuisine: Sichuan Chinese

Favorite Travel Destination: China, Japan, India