The past 12 months have welcomed a raft of major announcements of new hires to boards and senior management teams at UK bakery businesses.
As part of British Baker’s Bakery in Review series, we glance back through the top appointments from 2025 aimed at supporting future growth within the British baking industry:
Matthew Acheson
Group chief executive officer, Baker & Baker
The European sweet bakery manufacturer kicked off 2025 by appointing Matthew Acheson as its group CEO. He succeeded John Lindsay, who had served as CEO of Baker & Baker and the previous CSM business since 2016, and was heading off into retirement. Since then, Acheson has outlined his ambitions for the firm which includes achieving revenue north of €800m within the next five-year period.
Nick Ayerst and Dan Barrett
Managing director, Gail’s / The Bread Factory
Parent company Grain Topco named new MDs for its two main subsidiaries in January. Nick Ayerst took over the leadership role at café chain Gail’s from Marta Pogroszewska, who switched focus to her existing role of group COO, while Dan Barrett was internally promoted at wholesale supplier The Bread Factory. Ayerst recently revealed an ambition to grow the Gail’s estate to 300 sites from the 180+ it’s at today.
Nick Shrubsole and Aaron Corbett
Group executive director / group operations director, Speciality Breads
Ahead of its move into a new £20m bakery, Margate-based wholesale business Speciality Breads unveiled two new additions to its board. Former finance director at The Body Shop, Nick Shrubsole, joined as group executive director, and Aaron Corbett became group operations director having held similar roles at The Bread Factory and David Wood Baking.
Francesca Pittaway
Chief executive officer, Biscuiteers
London-based, hand-iced biscuit specialist Biscuiteers brought in Francesca Pittaway as CEO in February, allowing Harriet Hasting to become creative director whilst remaining full time in the business she co-founded in 2007 with her husband Stevie Congdon. Pittaway, Hasting, and Congdon have since been joined on the board by investor Matt Schaife, who helped rescue the firm from administration via a management buyout.
Mete Buyurgan
UK & Ireland managing director, Pladis
The snack manufacturing giant enacted a major leadership shakeup earlier this year in the aftermath of its global CEO Salman Amin leaving the company with immediate effect due to personal reasons. Just a few weeks later, the company’s UK and Ireland division announced Mete Buyurgan as its new MD, replacing David Murray who stepped up to global chief commercial officer.
Ed Widdowson
Chief executive officer, Macphie
Aberdeenshire-based ingredients supplier Macphie completed its transition to fourth-generation family leadership in March by naming Ed Widdowson as its new CEO. The nephew of former chairman Alastair Macphie took over the reins from Andy Stapley, who departs after six and a half years at the helm.
Paul Murphy
Chief executive officer, William Jackson Food Group
The Yorkshire-based business, which owns a portfolio of brands including bakery manufacturer Jacksons and sweet treat firm Lottie Shaw’s, took almost a year to confirm Paul Murphy as the successor of previous CEO James Watson, who stepped down in May 2024. Murphy’s career includes 22 years in senior roles at Kingsmill owner Associated British Foods with his most recent post as managing director of international markets for tea brand Twinings.
Bryony Walker
Commercial director, Walker’s Shortbread
Another fourth-generation family member ascending the ranks at a Scottish firm this year is Bryony Walker, who was named the new commercial director at Walker’s Shortbread in May. She took over from Steve McCarney, who transitioned to a part-time role but remained a director.
Brian Byrne
Chief operating officer, The Compleat Food Group
Having landed the newly-created role of chief procurement officer in 2023, Brian Byrne became Compleat’s first COO in May of this year. His internal promotion is designed to support the manufacturer’s ambitious growth strategy, taking overall accountability for the end-to-end supply chain.
Rob Keeping
Managing director, Bells of Lazonby
Over the summer, Bells of Lazonby announced Rob Keeping as its new MD, replacing Tim Conder who left after four years with the Cumbria-based bakery manufacturer. Keeping joined from his previous position as MD for the north division of Bread Holdings, whilst Conder has since been appointed commercial director at Morrisons.
Steven McGarvie
Managing director, Unox UK
The UK division of the Italy-headquartered commercial ovens supplier has named Steven McGarvie as its new MD. Joining from a five-year stint as UK sales & marketing director at Victor Manufacturing Limited, McGarvie succeeds Scott Duncan who stepped down in September after four years of leadership.
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