Movers and shakers: the big bakery appointments of 2024

There have been changes at the top of several major bakery firms in 2024, with new CEOs, managing directors, and more brought in to drive growth and innovation.

Here, we look back at some of the big appointments from the past 12 months:

Julia Banton, managing director, Roberts Bakery

Roberts Bakery announced a change in leadership in September with operations director Julia Banton promoted to managing director, and MD at the time Bill Thurston moving up to CEO. Banton joined the business in 2022 coming on board as the firm got underway with its five-year strategic plan. However, this was all put on hold when a fire ripped through the Northwich site in June 2023. In a heartfelt interview with British Baker, she recalled what happened on the day of the fire, how this led to the ‘most important operational overhaul in decades’, and how the business has rebuilt to get back to its best.

Stephanie Hildon, managing director, Ginsters

Savoury pastry specialist Ginsters appointed Stephanie Hildon as its new managing director after Sam Mitchell stepped up to the MD role of the savoury pastry category at owner Samworth Brothers. Hildon was previously chief executive of Langmead Herbs, a Chichester-based fresh and cut herb supplier, where she doubled turnover. She gave her first interview since joining Ginsters to British Baker, during which she outlined her commitment to supporting British farming, discussed the role of the brand in driving category growth, and changing perceptions of savoury pastry.

Simon Wookey, CEO, Samworth Brothers

There was change at the top of Ginsters’ owner Samworth Brothers as well as chief commercial officer Simon Wookey stepped into the CEO role following the departure of Hugo Mahoney. Wookey has worked in the food industry for 35 years, and prior to joining the food manufacturing giant in 2019, he was managing director of 2 Sister Group’s convenience business and spent time at Greencore and Maple Leaf Foods in Toronto, Canada.

Isaac Fisher, CEO, Pukka

Rounding off the savoury pastry update, Pukka also changed its leadership with Isaac Fisher made CEO as part of plans to supercharge its sales under continued family ownership. Fisher, who has been with the savoury pastry specialist for 11 years including the last four as managing director, called the plan “ambitious and achievable”. He said it would be delivered by Pukka’s team and backed by the full support of the Storer family that founded the business over 60 years ago in Leicestershire, where it remains today.

Mat Finch, managing director, Cornish Bakery

Mat Finch became the first managing director of independent chain Cornish Bakery earlier this year. He brought with him over 20 years of experience of commercial leadership in the leisure, hospitality, retail, and tech sectors, with a track record of developing customer experiences and managing large teams. Finch is tasked with working alongside founder Steve Grocutt to build a unique team culture, supercharge swift growth, and continue ‘winning beautifully’. He joined as the business secured new funding from Virgin Money to help accelerate the growth of its retail footprint.

Guy Meakin, president and managing director, Krispy Kreme UK & Ireland

Pret A Manger shops and franchise director Guy Meakin embraced the sweeter side of life by joining Krispy Kreme UK & Ireland as president and managing director. Meakin replaced Jamie Dunning who served in the role for two and a half years and oversaw a period of double-digit revenue growth and expansion for the doughnut specialist. Both Pret and Krispy Kreme are owned by investment firm JAB Holding Company.

Jo Blundell, CEO, Crosstown

Further changes in doughnut world came as Crosstown named Papa John’s CEO Jo Blundell to drive growth. Blundell replaced former Crosstown CEO Howard Ebison, with the move following the firm’s acquisition by franchise operator Karali Snacks in June, which was said to provide new investment to support the brand’s growth ambitions. Blundell has a proven track record in the food & beverage sector, having joined Crosstown from Papa John’s International. She also held senior marketing positions at Le Pain Quotidien, Burger King, and McDonald’s.

Stephen Hann, CEO, Genius Foods

Gluten-free bakery specialist Genius Foods has named Stephen Hann as its next CEO, replacing Adam Smart as of January 2025. Smart, who has been in the role since May 2023, has helped the business streamline its operations, optimise logistics, and refine the product portfolio. Hann joins from snack brand One Good Thing where he is currently CEO and brings over 20 years of FMCG experience of building and scaling businesses with a clear focus on operational excellence. Prior to joining One Good Thing at the start of this year, he worked in senior positions at Graze, the Kraft Heinz Company, and Danone.

Angela Willows, chief financial officer, Macphie

Aberdeenshire-based ingredients supplier Macphie brought Angela Willows on board as its new chief financial officer (CFO) to help support its international growth ambitions. Having previously held global leadership roles at Nestlé in Canada and at its headquarters in Switzerland, she now oversees the financial operations at the £70m turnover firm. She joins a senior management team that has welcomes several new hires over the past year including Norman Soutar as chairman, Paul McGovern as head of human resources, and Donald MacDonald as operations director.

Taryn-Lisa Molle-McConnell, vice president of R&D, Pladis UK&I

Snacking giant Pladis appointed Taryn-Lisa Molle-McConnell to the role of vice president of R&D over the summer. In the role, she is responsible for helping grow its category-leading reputation for innovation within sweet and savoury biscuits as well as cakes, including for McVitie’s, Jacob’s, and Carr’s. She joins from PepsiCo where she held the position of global senior director for flavour & seasoning. Further changes for the firm came when it promoted Emily Stuart to head of innovation for its UK & Ireland division and made Tim Brett MD of Europe and emerging markets.