Technology specialists, a production manager, and an international president are among the latest appointments in the baking industry and supporting sectors.
See below for the latest round-up of new faces and promotions at businesses including Pret, Fitbakes, Made Smarter, and Zero2Five:
Anita McDonnell, Pret A Manger
Anita McDonnell has taken up the position of international president at Pret A Manger (pictured above).
Effective from late August, McDonnell will lead Pret’s business across Europe, Asia and Africa, working alongside Felipe Athayde, president, North America, and Ross Warnes, president of UK & Ireland. Together, they will help accelerate Pret’s growth strategy across its 21 international markets.
She brings two decades of global leadership experience across franchised food and beverage businesses. McDonnell joins from Taco Bell, where she most recently served as MD for Asia Pacific and the Middle East, having previously held the role of chief growth officer for the region. Before joining Taco Bell, she held leadership roles at Domino’s and Costa Coffee.
She succeeds Eira Jarvis, who will leave Pret at the end of the year after 13 years with the business. Having spent more than a decade building Pret’s business across Asia and beyond, Eira has decided to remain in the region, rather than relocate to the UK where the international president role will be based. Jarvis will continue through the end of the year to support a smooth transition.
Discussing McDonnell’s appointment, Pret CEO Pano Christou said: “She brings extensive global experience and a deep understanding of franchised businesses, with a strong track record of leading teams across multiple markets. It’s rare to find someone with such deep expertise in food, coffee and hospitality across such a wide range of Asian markets.”
Grant Read, Papa Johns
Grant Read has been promoted to vice president, managing director – UK & Europe at pizza chain Papa Johns.
Read joined the business in 2023 as senior director of corporate operations, before expanding his responsibilities to lead both franchise and corporate operations across the UK and EMEA.
He has more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, with extensive expertise in operations, franchising and multi-functional leadership. Prior to joining Papa Johns, he held senior leadership roles with KFC and Wendy’s, following more than 25 years with McDonald’s, where he held a range of operations and franchising leadership roles across the UK and international markets.
In his new role, Read will lead the UKE business, working closely with the teams and franchise partners to build on the progress made across the market and drive the next phase of growth for Papa Johns. He will continue to report to Chris Phylactou, senior vice president, international.
Other promotions at Papa Johns include the aforementioned Chris Phylactou who has moved from MD UK, Europe & Canada, while Caroline Miller Oyler, who serves as chief administrative officer, has been named chief legal and administrative officer. In addition Chris Lyn-Sue, who serves as senior vice president, general manager of international, has been named global chief marketing officer and John Matter, previously senior vice president, general counsel and interim head of North American development, has been given the newly created position of global chief development officer and assistant corporate secretary.
Matt Cavanagh, I.T.S
Flavour specialist I.T.S has hired Matt Cavanagh as its new production manager ahead of the opening of its new premises in Berkshire.
Cavanagh joins from Bakels where he was production manager and most recently environmental, health & safety manager. He will work alongside former Bakels colleague Paul Askett, now I.T.S’ head of site, operations, and purchasing.
Mike Richards-Brown, Tabs Khojani, Jane Duffy and Mike Connolly, Made Smarter
Made Smarter has bolstered its North West team with four new specialists as SME manufacturers accelerate investment in technology and skills.
Mike Richards-Brown and Tabs Khojani will help firms find practical ways to digitalise their operations joining as technology adoption specialists. Meanwhile, while Jane Duffy and Mike Connolly will help businesses prepare their people and develop the leadership needed to deliver change, joining as organisational development and skills specialists.
Together they bring decades of experience from some of the region’s leading manufacturing, technology and business support organisations.
“Manufacturers know they need to change, and the appetite to embrace digital transformation continues to grow,” said Donna Edwards, programme director for Made Smarter North West.
“Technology can unlock huge gains in productivity, efficiency and competitiveness, but businesses need the right expertise and the right people to make it work. These four appointments bring an incredible breadth of experience and will help us meet that growing demand and support even more manufacturers to turn their ambitions into action.”
Launched in 2019, Made Smarter North West has engaged with 2,500 manufacturers, created 705 digital roadmaps and supported 451 technology projects. The programme has provided £8.3m in funding, helping unlock £28m of investment from manufacturers, while 282 businesses have received skills or leadership training and 105 digital interns have been placed with businesses.
Phil Greenhalgh, FitBakes
Healthier bakery brand FitBakes has appointed Phil Greenhalgh to the board as a non-executive director, effective immediately.
Greenhalgh will support the company’s strategic expansion as it accelerates growth across grocery retail channels. He brings with him extensive FMCG leadership experience. As former MD of Grenade, he helped lead the sports nutrition brand through its £200m sale to Mondelēz. He also previously served as MD at Mondelez UK and commercial director at Warburtons.
The appointment comes as Fitbakes aims to meet rising consumer demand for healthier bread alternatives, including low-carb, high-protein options. Over the past five years, the brand said it has demonstrated strong growth through direct-to-consumer and Amazon channels. More recently, it secured national distribution with Holland & Barrett.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Phil to the board,” said Ella Rauen-Prestes, founder of Fitbakes. “His unparalleled experience at the helm of category-defining grocery brands is exactly what we need as we enter our next phase of growth. Phil’s strategic insight will be invaluable to our commercial team as we scale our retail footprint and work towards our ambitious goals.”
Simon Burns, Zero2Five Food Industry Centre
Simon Burns has been appointed technical director of Zero2Five Food Industry Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University, succeeding Helen Taylor following her retirement at the end of August 2026.
Burns brings more than 27 years of technical experience across a wide range of food categories. Since joining Zero2Five in 2022, he has managed the Centre’s pilot plant facilities and provided numerous Welsh food and drink businesses with technical and operational support.
His specialist areas include food quality and safety systems, with a particular focus on hygienic factory and equipment design.
“Simon has made a significant contribution to Zero2Five since joining the team in 2022, supporting food and drink businesses across Wales whilst helping to develop our specialist pilot plant facilities. His extensive industry experience and commitment to advancing food quality and safety make him well placed to lead our technical team,” said Peter Sykes, head of Zero2Five Food Industry Centre.
“I would also like to thank Helen for her outstanding contribution to Zero2Five over more than two decades. Her leadership, technical knowledge and dedication have played a major role in supporting the growth and success of food and drink businesses across Wales and beyond.”
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