Latest hires unveiled by bakery manufacturers and ingredients suppliers showcase some internal promotions and strategic moves within the industry.
The senior roles they are assuming include COO, non-executive director, technical manager, and head of innovation & training. There’s also a new chairperson at the trade body representing the food-to-go sector in Northern Ireland.
More details on each new hire as follows:
Graeme Williams, chief commercial officer UK at Baker & Baker
The European sweet bakery supplier has named Williams (pictured above) as its new CCO covering the UK market. He replaces Tim Ryan, who is taking early retirement after 30 years helping to grow Baker & Baker’s key accounts ten-fold, with a gradual transfer of responsibilities carried out over the past 12 months.
Williams has steadily risen the ranks at the company since joining in 2019, playing a key role in nurturing relationships with large UK retail customers and driving growth across the in-store bakery category. He now joins the six-strong senior leadership team led by CEO John Lindsay.
“We’re extremely pleased to appoint Graeme as our new CCO UK. His talent and commitment over the last five years has been evident to all, and that continuity will set us up for our next period of growth,” said Lindsay. “Graeme already possesses deep and positive relationships with our customers, and has demonstrated his extensive leadership abilities in our commercial team during the transition period.”
Malcolm Waugh, independent non-executive director at Premier Foods
Waugh is set to join the board of the manufacturer behind bakery brands Mr Kipling and Cadbury cakes following its AGM in July. The current CEO of low carbon packaging firm Frugalpac has more than 35 years’ experience in commercial, operational, and leadership roles, and previously spent 11 years at Essentra, the last six years of which were as MD and group commercial director.
Premier Foods also announced that Richard Hodgson will retire in July after nine years as a non-executive director while Lorna Tilbian, who joined the board in April 2022, will step up to become senior independent director. The business recently unveiled plans to exit the frozen pizza base market and close its Charnwood site so it could focus on further growth of its brands.
Paul Trotter, technical manager at Silvery Tweed Cereals
Having previously worked for the cereal and seed ingredients supplier earlier in his career, Trotter returns to assume the role of technical manager.
He now brings 16 years of experience in the food industry along with a wealth of skills and expertise to the family-owned business based in Northumberland. Trotter’s key responsibilities will include implementing strategies on product quality and technical services, and providing ongoing training and development initiatives to the team relating to raw materials, products, and food safety.
“Paul’s proven track record in technical systems development and his dedication to continuous improvement will be invaluable assets as we strive to exceed our customers’ expectations,” commented Martin Drewery, head of technical at Silvery Tweed Cereals.
Samanatha Rain, head of innovation & training at Henley Bridge
The Lewes-based ingredients supplier has internally promoted its development chef Rain to the newly created position of head of innovation & training. The move was said to signal a renewed focus on training and innovation at Henley Bridge, with Rain heading up a product training programme for all employees as well as hosting monthly customer innovation days, recipe development, and actively seeking out potential new product ranges.
“It’s very exciting to have a change of direction after eight years here at Henley Bridge,” said Rain. “Innovation will be at the forefront of everything I do, and I will be constantly updating and honing my skills and product knowledge both in the UK and internationally, which I will then be able to transfer to the wider team and customer base.”
Earlier this year, the company unveiled half a dozen leadership appointments to help achieve extended growth targets.
Kiera Campbell, chairperson at the NI Food To Go Association
Henderson Foodservice sales director Campbell, a 20-year veteran of the food & drink industry, has been announced as the new chairperson of the trade body which represents and supports takeaway and food-to-go businesses in Northern Ireland.
Starting a two-year term, she will lead the board made up of several key industry experts including chief executive Michael Henderson, who founded the organisation five years ago and has been lobbying on behalf of its 750-plus members, and the wider sector, ever since.
The NI Food To Go Association, which was until recently known as the NI Takeaway Association, aims to provide advice and advocacy under its ‘unite, support, grow’ ethos while upholding industry standards for businesses working in the sector. A recent survey conducted by the Association found 70% of respondents stating that recruitment of skilled workers remained a major issue as well as business rates, insurance, utility bills, and sustainability.
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