The past 12 months has seen an unprecedented number of changes in senior roles in Britain’s bakery businesses and trade bodies.
Here we look at some of the appointments that have reshaped the baking industry landscape in 2022.
Tim Conder
Managing director, Bells of Lazonby
Penrith-based bakery Bells of Lazonby appointed former Aldi group buying director Tim Conder as its new managing director in January. Conder replaced Michael Bell in the role, with the second-generation member of the family baker moving to lead the supervisory board of the company.
Roisin Currie
CEO, Greggs
Greggs property director Roisin Currie replaced long-time CEO Roger Whiteside in May. Currie, who joined the bakery business in 2010 from Asda where she held the role of people director, had been responsible for Greggs’ retail operations and led the development of its shop estate and delivery business.
Andrew Pyne
Chief executive, Federation of Bakers
The Federation of Bakers appointed Andrew Pyne as chief executive, signalling the end of Gordon Polson’s 17-year tenure. Pyne had worked in the breakfast cereal industry for over 20 years, and undertook a variety of assignments for the Food and Drink Federation over an 18-month period from 2020, including corporate affairs and associations management.
Nick Harris
Chairman, Craft Bakers Association
The Craft Bakers Association appointed Nick Harris as its new chairman in June. He was voted into the position by the CBA directors following the resignation of previous incumbent George Fuller after a decade in the role. Harris has worked in the baking industry for more than three decades with companies including Bako South Eastern, where he was MD.
Nick Field
CEO, The Compleat Food Group
Former Burton’s Biscuit Co CEO Nick Field became chief executive of The Compleat Food Group in June. Compleat was formed in 2021 by private equity firm PAI Partners following its acquisition of Addo Food Group, Winterbotham Darby and, later, Wrights Food Group.
Dalton Philips
CEO, Greencore
Dalton Philips took up the role as CEO of sandwich giant Greencore in September. He replaced Patrick Coveney, who left Greencore at the end of March to join travel food and drink operator SSP. Philips had previously been group CEO of global airports and travel retailer DAA, and before that was CEO of Morrisons between 2010 and 2015.
Hugo Mahoney
CEO, Samworth Brothers
Hugo Mahoney became group chief executive of Samworth Brothers in April, following the retirement of Flor Healy. Mahoney was a five-year veteran of Brakes UK, joining as chief commercial officer in 2017 and rising to the role of chief executive.
Jon Jenkins
CEO, Hovis
Hovis named Jon Jenkins, former boss of Kingsmill owner Allied Bakeries, as its new chief executive in October. He replaced Robert Higginson, who had been interim CEO since the departure of Nish Kankiwala in September. Jenkins has more that 30 years’ experience in the FMCG market and had been chief executive of dairy business Müller Milk & Ingredients before leaving in April this year.
Wendy Smith
Managing director, Lantmännen Unibake
Lantmännen Unibake UK appointed Wendy Smith as its new managing director in October. She has taken over the reins following the promotion of Tim Robinson to chief strategy officer. Lantmännen Unibake described Smith as having more than 15 years of leadership experience in businesses including Northern Foods, Samworths and Bakkavor.
Jamie Dunning
President and MD, Krispy Kreme UK and Ireland
Krispy Kreme appointed Jamie Dunning as president and managing director for the UK and Ireland this summer, taking over from Richard Cheshire. Dunning previously held the same roles at Mars Retail Group, where he oversaw a transformation in the fortunes of the business and its associated brands, according to Krispy Kreme.
Bill Thurston
Managing director, Frank Roberts & Sons
Industry veteran Bill Thurston joined Roberts in October with a remit to lead the business into the next phase of growth. Thurston has more than 30 years’ experience in the food sector, much of that in the baking industry. He has held roles including managing director of Dawn Foods, CEO of BFP Wholesale and senior vice president of CSM Ingredients.
David Wagstaff
Managing director, St Pierre Groupe
David Wagstaff was this month named managing director of St Pierre Groupe following the acquisition of the business by Mexico-based Grupo Bimbo. He was appointed to head the existing management team of the brioche specialist, which produces the St Pierre, Baker Street and Paul Hollywood brands. Wagstaff had led St Pierre Groupe’s US operation for more than two years.
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