Two new CFOs and a head baker are among the latest bakery industry appointments.
See below for a round-up of arrivals and departures at businesses including Greggs, Cybake, and Reiser UK:
Ben Waldron, Greggs
Greggs chief financial officer Richard Hutton is leaving his role at the end of this year after 28 years with the business and is being replaced by Ben Waldron (see image above).
Waldron will join Greggs in October as CFO-designate and take on the role of CFO from 1 January 2027. He worked for Bakkavor Group for more than 14 years in roles including chief financial officer, group strategy director, and CEO of Bakkavor Asia and of Bakkavor USA. Since leaving Bakkavor he has worked in advisory roles.
“Ben will join the business at an exciting stage in its continued development,” said Greggs chair Matt Davies. “His strong financial and commercial expertise, together with his experience in senior operational leadership roles within an international food manufacturing business, will be an invaluable asset to Greggs.”
Greggs CEO Roisin Currie said Hutton has been a trusted colleague, and that she has greatly valued their partnership built over many years.
“His contribution to Greggs has been outstanding, and he will leave with the warmest thanks and very best wishes from everyone across the company,” she added.
Greggs has also appointed Ikdeep Singh as an independent non-executive director. The company said he brings extensive experience from leadership roles at Mars Pet Nutrition, L’Oréal, and Procter & Gamble, including expertise in global consumer businesses, operations, supply chain, innovation, and digital transformation.
Noel Culbert, Around Noon
Food-to-go manufacturer Around Noon has appointed Noel Culbert as chief financial officer following the business securing investment from Whiterock to support its growth.
Culbert most recently served as CFO at Kyte Powertech Limited, a leading manufacturer of distribution transformers.
“Noel brings significant financial, commercial and strategic experience, having worked with a range of highly successful businesses across manufacturing and industry,” said Around Noon CEO Gareth Chambers. “As we continue to build on our growth trajectory across the UK and Ireland, Noel’s expertise and leadership will be invaluable in helping us realise our ambitions.”
John Fish, Cybake
Bakery and food retail software specialist Cybake has appointed former Marks & Spencer executive John Fish as head of customer success.
Fish spent 18 years at the retailer, joining the company after completing an MBA in New Brunswick, Canada. He worked his way up from graduate trainee at M&S Tamworth, Staffordshire, to commercial and store management roles across the Midlands and South West England.
He was then recruited to M&S’s central operation, originally as UK field team manager for its café/bakery/deli hospitality division, then to new initiatives and franchise development within its wider food group, and finally as senior commercial manager for its international wholesale operation.
After leaving M&S, where he had been a Cybake ISB user, John launched his own food sector consultancy, which led to work on large implementations of Cybake ISB for other major retailers.
“Not only is he a multi-skilled food retail all-rounder, John also has unique experience of the convenience sector at an enterprise level,” said Cybake CEO Ali Lyons. “Having lived and worked in the North American market he’s going to really bolster the experience we have with the grocery sector in that market too.”
Kofi Hoyle, Boxcar
Independent bakery business Boxcar has appointed Kofi Hoyle as head baker.
Hoyle has more than a decade of experience at some of London’s most respected bakeries including Harrods and Pophams, and later at Astrid Bakery as head baker.
Hoyle said she has long been an admirer of Boxcar’s intricately laminated pastries, and plans to build on the brand’s artisanal approach. From introducing seasonal specials shaped by her Jamaican-Irish heritage and her love of rare fruit varieties, her ambition is to build on Boxcar’s signature style and flavours with her own twist.
Louisa Coursey, Scotland Food & Drink’s Net Zero Commitment
Louisa Coursey has joined Scotland Food & Drink’s Net Zero Commitment as programme manager.
The organisation said Coursey brings 17 years’ experience in delivering sustainability programmes across renewable energy, logistics, manufacturing and food and drink.
In her previous role at Zero Waste Scotland, she led the circular economy business support programme for six years, providing support and guidance to businesses seeking to incorporate circular practises into their operations.
In her new role, Louisa will be helping to support Scotland’s 17,000 food and drink businesses achieve the sector-wide target of reaching net zero by 2045.
“Louisa has been at the forefront of many of Scotland’s key sustainability initiatives and her expertise will be a vital resource for our food and drink businesses,” said Iain Clunie, programme director at the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s net zero commitment.
Tyler Bryant and Jay Hyde, Reiser UK
Reiser UK has expanded its sales team by appointing two experienced regional sales managers
Tyler Bryant will cover the South West region and Jay Hyde will be responsible for London, Kent, West Sussex and parts of Surrey. Both will report to field sales manager Adam Hodson.
Bryant is described as bringing more than five years’ experience as a regional sales manager with Loma Systems, while Hyde has more than 12 years’ experience in the food industry, specialising in detection and weighing solutions.
“We’re delighted to welcome both Tyler and Jay to the Reiser team,” said Hodson. “They each bring significant industry experience, excellent customer-facing skills and a strong understanding of the food manufacturing sector.”
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