2 Sisters Food Group has appointed Martyn Fletcher, previously group retail director at Morrisons, to the newly-created role of chief operating officer of protein.

Fletchers’ new role will come into effect on 4 April – he will be responsible for all operations across 2 Sisters’ UK manufacturing sites.

Fletcher was at Morrisons for 30 years, during which time he was purchasing director, production director and group manufacturing director. He left in March 2016, shortly after David Potts took over from Dalton Philips as chief executive.

Ranjit Singh, chief executive of 2 Sisters, said: “We are delighted to welcome someone of Martyn’s calibre and expertise to 2 Sisters Food Group. Martyn was instrumental in the implementation of Morrisons’ vertically integrated supply chain and has driven a number of successful productivity initiatives.”

Fletcher said he had spent many years working with Singh and 2 Sisters while at Morrisons, and had always had a high opinion of the business. He said he particularly admired “the scale of ambition and the group’s ability to adapt quickly and respond to change and opportunities”.

Fletcher said of the move: “It is great to be joining at what is a very exciting time for the business and I look forward to working with a strong group of colleagues as we continue to drive the business forward.”

2 Sisters described the protein division as the anchor of its business. At the end of 2015, the group launched a £150m, three-year investment programme in that division to create a world-class and industry-leading estate for poultry manufacturing.

Fox’s rumours

On 16 March, 2 Sisters reported an increase in like-for-like sales to £800.1m, and profit before tax of £20.3m for the second quarter of its financial year.

In March of this year, 2 Sisters’ owner, Boparan Holdings, was rumoured to be selling Fox’s Biscuits to Burton’s Biscuits in a £330m deal.

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