OAK BROOK, ILL. – The board of directors for the McDonald’s Corp. has elected Steve Easterbrook as executive vice president and global chief brand officer. Easterbrook was previously chief executive officer of Wagamama Ltd., a restaurant chain in the United Kingdom.

He replaces Kevin Newell, who recently assumed the role of chief brand and strategy officer for McDonald’s USA. Easterbrook will report to Don Thompson, McDonald’s president and CEO.

In September 2010, Easterbrook was promoted to corporate executive vice president and chief brand officer of McDonald’s Corp. In December 2010 he was promoted to president of McDonald’s Europe.

In September 2011, Easterbrook resigned from McDonald's to become the CEO of PizzaExpress Ltd., a UK restaurant chain. From there he became the CEO of Wagamama Ltd.