Bakery brands and chocolate suppliers have announced leadership changes, with other manufacturers unveiling newly created roles to support growth.
Below, we round-up the half-dozen hires at firms in and around the baking industry:
Barry Callebaut
Global chocolate and cocoa supplier Barry Callebaut has named Hein Schumacher as its new CEO (pictured above).
The former Unilever CEO replaces Peter Feld, who assumed the role in April 2023 and is now leaving to pursue other career opportunities. Feld will remain available to Barry Callebaut during a transitional period as he transfers his knowledge of the BC Next Level transformation programme – a £470m growth plan that is almost complete – to his successor.
Schumacher brings over 25 years of experience in the food sector to his new role, including leadership positions at Royal FrieslandCampina and Heinz.
“Following a period of unprecedented market turbulence, Barry Callebaut is at an exciting juncture,” commented Schumacher. “While the business continues to navigate market and volume pressures, we have a clear opportunity to return to growth, to strengthen our culture and to deliver a step-up in our business performance.”
Hilltop Food Group
Having recently revealed plans to expand into pie fillings and other categories including bakery, independent honey brand Hilltop has announced Tom Delaney as its new CEO.
Delaney is an experienced FMCG commercial leader who had stints at Tesco and Typhoo prior to joining Hilltop in 2024, where he has served as sales director for the last 18 months.
Scott Davies, who founded the company in 2011, will step into the role of executive chairman where he will provide strategic oversight and remain actively involved as its owner.
The leadership reshuffle comes as Hilltop eyes its next stage of growth through product innovation, increased service capabilities, and international expansion, with a target of doubling turnover to £100m.
Prop Options
Another internal promotion sees Daniel Bradley become CEO at premium cake stand manufacturer Prop Options, with co-founders Brad Young and Emily Lamb likewise moving to advisory roles.
Bradley joined the Dorset-based company in 2020, co-ordinating operations and customer services before progressing to executive business manager in 2024. He has supported the firm’s growth, including internationally with a client base currently spanning 87 countries and distribution hubs in the UK, Europe, Australia, and the US. Its offering has expanded to more than 830 products.
Alongside his work and studies, Bradley spent eight years running a blog called ‘The Cruising Baker’. “Since 2020, I’ve seen first-hand how Prop Options has grown into the most influential brand in the cake industry,” commented Bradley. “Over recent months, I’ve been closely involved in leading the business, and stepping into the CEO role feels like a natural next step. There’s a strong team in place and a clear roadmap already underway, and my focus is on driving that forward.”
Signature Flatbreads
James Eid has been appointed as the first UK chief marketing officer at Dunstable-based bakery supplier Signature Flatbreads.
A fourth-generation member of the Eid family baking dynasty, James previously founded wonky bakery subscription service Earth & Wheat and influencer marketing platform Sway Me Good.
He is now tasked with leading Signature Flatbreads’ marketing strategy across its own-label range and Deli Kitchen brand, responsible for delivering growth across retail, foodservice and consumer channels, with oversight of insight, communications and product development teams. The company unveiled a £150m investment plan in 2024, and currently employs over 1,800 people.
The Compleat Food Group
The manufacturer behind bakery brands including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, and The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co has announced Sue Bell in the newly created position of chief technical officer.
Reporting to CEO Nick Field, she will lead the Technical, ESG and Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) functions across The Compleat Food Group, marking the first time these have been brought together at board level.
Bell has spent the past five years as an independent consultant to food manufacturing and hospitality businesses, including FareShare UK, Bernard Matthews and Whitbread, delivering continuous improvement and business transformation programmes. She previously worked for Marks & Spencer for 32 years with her most recent role being head of technology, overseeing both chilled and ambient categories as well as packaging delivery.
Her arrival at Compleat follows the recent appointment of Nick Reade as UK managing director.
Two Magpies Bakery
Ben Magnall has become a second-generation director at East Anglia-based Two Magpies Bakery, which has also announced a raft of management changes.
Owner Steve Magnall said: “The business is on track for growth and with Ben joining, he will be instrumental in helping us achieve ambitious expansion goals.” Magnall is set to join his father’s firm in the spring. He is currently strategy director at Sony Sports having previously worked as a strategy consultant at OC&C Consultants.
Meanwhile, departures in the leadership team have seen the appointments Lydia Robertson as manufacturing manager (with total responsibility for all of back of house operations), Justin Skinner as head of quality & training, Guy Watts as head baker, and Lilla Read as head of production.
These hires are said to align with plans to expand its estate from 10 shops and cafés across Suffolk and Norfolk to 50 sites. The company operates an 11,000 sq ft production site in Walpole, where it also makes the Hilton Macarons range and a bake school in Darsham.
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