Yorkshire-based ingredients supplier Eurostar Commodities has named Jason Bull as its new managing director.
Having worked for his family’s firm for over 23 years, Jason is said to have been instrumental in helping triple its size to become a £15m turnover business, supplying over 20,000 tonnes of ingredients to the UK and Europe every year.
He ascends to take over the leadership role from his father Phillip Bull, who founded Eurostar Commodities in 1994 and who will now become chairman.
The business – which opened Yorkshire’s first Pizza Academy of Excellence at its headquarters in Brighouse last year – also announced new senior appointments to manage international logistics, purchasing, marketing, and sales. These hires have bolstered the Eurostar team in the UK to 23 people.
The company revealed that Jason had pioneered its technical development, creating new products and brands including its gluten-free chapati flour range. Sales of this range more than doubled last year compared to the figures from 2022, supported by a recent ad campaign rolled out across Sky TV, Sunrise Radio, and additional digital channels.
Jason helped shape Eurostar’s global infrastructure, enabling its global network of food producers to supply Britain’s leading brands, while spearheading the companies’ role as an export trade champion for the government’s Department of Business and Trade. He also oversaw the launch of the UK’s first Clean Label production facility in 2021, located at its Brighouse site and involving an investment of more than £600k.
“I am excited to be leading the business into this next chapter,” Jason Bull commented. “We have achieved successful growth, beyond our highest expectations in a challenging global economy and have ambitious plans for continued growth, product development and international supply of high-quality foods.
“I am most proud of our market leading share in the sushi rice category and the development of our high-quality gluten free flours which have revolutionised the market. We have a fantastic team who are the best in the business and together we deliver a significant and consistent service to the UK food industry,” he added.
Initial plans for 2024 outlined by the new MD include expansion into a factory three times the size of its existing facility, increasing capacity in purchasing and logistics, the launch of several new food brands, and increased gluten-free product development.
Eurostar said it will also be looking to create new consumer brands in emerging farming sectors for sustainability, and increase its presence in retail and foodservice sectors in the UK, Northern Europe, and the Middle East, as well as physical expansion into Europe.
In addition to producing its own-brand products, Eurostar also supplies brands including Grandi Molini Italiani flour (used by pizza chefs worldwide), Kintaro sushi rice, and Confucius and Chinese Emperor long grain rice.
The start of this year has also welcomed new MD appointments at bakery supplier St Pierre Groupe, and yeast manufacturer Lesaffre UK & Ireland.
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