Coffee chain Caffè Nero, bakery manufacturer Samworth Brothers, and equipment supplier Bundy Baking Solutions are among the firms to make changes to their leadership teams for 2026.
The businesses, and others, have welcomed new CEOs, added new roles such as a brands & strategy director, and made changes at a board level to help ensure growth strategies are implemented, and financial sustainability is secured for the years ahead.
Take a closer look at the new appointments below:
Senior hires at Samworth Brothers
Samworth Brothers has appointed two new senior hires to its group executive board.
Clare Moore joins as chief people officer while Matt Austin comes on board in a new role for the group as brands & strategy director.
Austin joins with significant board level brand, marketing, commercial and leadership experience. He was most recently executive vice president & chief revenue officer for toy company Hasbro where he was responsible for global sales and marketing. His other roles have included CEO for UK & Ireland at Lindt & Sprüngli, and more than 20 years working for Mars & Wrigley in general manager and commercial roles across Europe. He will be the board’s lead for groupwide business strategy and take over full board responsibilities for Samworth Brothers brands including Soreen, Higgidy, and Ginsters.
Moore, meanwhile, was previously chief people & sustainability officer at floorcovering distributor Headlam Group and, prior to that, chief people officer at Midcounties Co-operative and group HR director for Halfords. She replaces Jo Werth, who is taking a career break, after nine years at Samworth Brothers.
The firm’s four category MDs – Rachael Bouch (food to go), Kerrie Bailey (meals), Fred Lea (savoury pastry), and Lee Sullivan (Walkers deli & sausage protein business) – are also joining the group executive board from January 2026. This will provide additional direct representation of the business’ core categories, alongside its brands at the most senior level, the firm said.
Simon Wookey, group CEO said the new hires will bring “significant insight and expertise” to the business as it develops its future strategy.
“As our new internal appointments demonstrate we are tremendously lucky to have great bench strength among our senior team, but also welcome other fresh leadership talent to help us keep our competitive edge and continue to thrive far into the future,” Wookey added.
New UK CEO for Caffè Nero joins from Hotel Chocolat
Caffè Nero has named former Hotel Chocolat leader Lysa Hardy as its new UK CEO.
Hardy, who steps into the role immediately, will oversee the UK Caffè Nero business, reporting to Gerry Ford, who remains as group CEO. She will also work alongside UK MD Glyn House.
She joins the coffee business from Hotel Chocolat where she was CEO, and brings with her over two decades of experience leading and growing high profile UK retail brands, including T- Mobile, Joules, and Holland and Barrett.
“Her experience and track record makes her a great complement to Glyn and allows us to take the UK Caffè Nero business forward in the next phase,” said Ford. “We have considerable brand momentum in the coffee space globally and in the UK, where we continue to gain market share and have delivered record first half results.”
Hardy’s appointment follows a record first half for the business, with revenue at group level of £338m, driven by 5% like-for-like sales (9% above the same period in the previous year). The UK business reported record first-half sales of £185.4m, reflecting strong overall growth of 7% vs last year, with 5% like for like sales growth.
Bundy Baking Solutions names new chairman and CEO
Family-owned firm Bundy Baking Solutions, which supplies equipment, bakeware and coatings including under its American Pan brand, has revealed a leadership transition which sees current CEO Gilbert Bundy take on the role of chairman while his brother William (Bill) Bundy steps into the CEO position.
“It is both an honor and a proud family moment to appoint my brother Bill as the next CEO,” said Gilbert Bundy. “Our goal has always been to preserve the culture and values our father taught us – to work hard, serve our customers with integrity, and keep moving the baking industry forward.”
Throughout Gilbert’s 44-year career with the Ohio-based company, the last 10 as CEO, Bundy Baking Solutions has evolved into a leader in commercial baking equipment, operating more than 30 facilities across 11 countries. His tenure has been marked by steady growth, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering focus on serving bakers worldwide, according to the firm.
Bill has played a key part in this growth, said his brother: “He embodies the same entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence that has guided our company since its beginning.”
As CEO, Bill Bundy will lead the company’s next phase of growth and innovation while Gilbert Bundy will guide strategic initiatives and maintain key company, industry, and customer relationships.
Bill added that his focus will be on “preserving our core values while driving growth, innovation, and stability for the future”.
John McMullen takes the lead at Wholebake
Healthy snack bar manufacturer Wholebake has named John McMullen as new CEO to lead its next phase of growth.
McMullen took over the role late last year, succeeding Peter Unsworth who stepped down as CEO and remains with Wholebake as a non-executive director. He brings extensive experience from across the food industry, having held senior technical, operational and general management roles at major blue-chip organisations including Heinz, Princes and Unilever. Over the past decade, he has led successful business turnarounds at Baxters Food Group and G’s Fresh, building a strong track record of guiding organisations through periods of growth and transformation.
Under McMullen’s leadership, Wholebake’s immediate priorities are focussed on delivering its growth strategy, while continuing to invest in innovation, operational excellence and its people. Long term, his vision is to achieve sustainable top and bottom-line growth, strengthening Wholebake’s position as a trusted partner of choice for businesses across the UK, Europe and beyond.
The appointment follows significant recent investment in the business, including the opening of Wholebake’s new 73,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Wrexham. With this expanded operational.
“I am delighted to have joined Wholebake at such a defining moment in its journey,” said McMullen. “The healthy snacking category continues to evolve at pace, with significant opportunities for growth across the UK, Europe and beyond. Wholebake has built a strong reputation for quality, innovation and partnership, and I am looking forward to working with the team to build on these strengths.”
Greggs adds non-executive director and audit committee chair to board
Greggs has added Richard Smothers as an independent non-executive director, effective from 1 February 2026 to its board.
Smothers will assume the role of chair of the Audit Committee from 6 March 2026 and will join the Audit, Nominations and Remuneration Committees on appointment. He replaces Kate Ferry who will retire from the board on the same day.
He previously served as CFO of Greene King until early 2025 and also has experience as CFO of Mothercare, director of group finance for packaging firm Rexam, and spent 14 years at Tesco in senior finance roles both in the UK and internationally.
Matt Davies, chair of Greggs, said: “As previously noted, Kate has made an exceptional contribution to the Board over the last six years and she will be truly missed. We are delighted that Richard has accepted our invitation to join the Board. He has extensive financial expertise in a listed company environment and great experience in retail which will be of significant benefit to our business.”
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