AMF Bakery Solutions has promoted its vice-president Jason Ward to president with immediate effect.

Ward will continue to manage the company’s day-to-day operations while creating and delivering the company’s vision and overall mission.

He joined AMF Bakery Systems in 2011 as vice-president of sales and marketing, leading expansion of the company’s international sales and global brand awareness. Ward stepped into an executive leadership role as executive vice-president in August 2015.

Ken Newsome, CEO of Markel Food Group, owner of AMF, said Ward had effectively been running AMF for the past two years.

“Jason has been an outstanding leader and a tremendous asset in the long-term planning for AMF with our acceleration of product innovation and market expansion.”

Ward said he was honoured by the opportunity to lead the team.

“As we move forward, our focus will be helping our baker customers around the world succeed and investing in new technology and talent that enables us to provide differentiated solutions and capabilities to the baking industry.”

Ward will continue to work alongside the leadership of Markel Food Group partners, Reading Bakery Systems and Tromp Group, to provide bakery customers with innovative process solutions.

AMF Bakery Systems’ is a global business of high speed bakery equipment, with its headquarters based in Virginia, US. However, it also has operations in Leeds, Yorkshire