New board members and senior sales and finance appointments have been announced at four different UK bakery manufacturers.
Some are stepping up within their respective company to replace a retiring or departing individual, whilst others have been brought in based on their extensive experience in the industry.
Here’s more on the quartet of latest movers in the baking sector:
Jane Olney, sales director at Lantmännen Unibake UK
The UK arm of the bakery supplier has moved to appoint Jane Olney (see image above) as its new sales director, following the announcement that Martin Jones will retire later this year after 20 years with the company. Olney has more than 17 years’ experience in food industry sales, and joins following seven years with Finsbury Food Group, most recently as commercial director of its bread business. She has also held similar senior roles within both 2 Sisters and The Village Bakery Group.
“The bakery market is currently growing and we have ambitious plans for the future of the business to grow with it, which will greatly benefit from Jane’s extensive bakery industry knowledge,” commented Lantmännen Unibake UK managing director Wendy Smith. Olney said she looked forward to exploring new growth opportunities and working with the UK team to build on the company’s success in delivering value to retail and foodservice partners.
Lantmännen Unibake UK revealed it had recently entered the speciality bread market by adding a new state-of-the-art line to its Milton Keynes bakery. Following extensive research into sweet pastry, investments were also made into its Bedford bakery’s capability to allow it to innovate and develop the market opportunity within the premium Danish pastry segment.
Earlier this year, it launched a trio of new Signature Fruit Danish pastries under its Schulstad Bakery Solution brand, which joins fast-food bread brand Americana on its UK portfolio. All products are supplied frozen and are ready to bake or thaw and serve for total convenience.
Roger White, non-executive director at Warburtons
Having retired from AG Barr back in April, White joined the bread giant’s board earlier this month. His two decades with the Irn Bru maker made him one of the longest-serving bosses of a UK public company, during which time he’d helped transform it from a regional Scottish soft drinks supplier to a national multi-beverage player.
White also sat on the board of William Jackson Food Group – owner of Jacksons of Yorkshire bread brand and the recently acquired sweet treat specialist Lottie Shaw’s – from 2019 till May of this year.
Warburtons chairman Jonathan Warburton said White’s wealth of experience in the food and drink industry would no doubt support the business as it continues its focus on long-term growth. The company’s latest financial results showed its highest operating profit in seven years, with turnover up 17.4% to £711.3m, despite a ‘very competitive’ wrapped bakery market.
Lee Miley, group chief financial officer at Bakkavor
The global food-to-go manufacturer has announced its current UK finance director Lee Miley will take over from group CFO Ben Waldron, who is stepping down after four years in the role and almost 14 years with the company to join his partner in Australia. Miley will assume the board position on 1 November, although Waldron will remain with Bakkavor for a further six months to ensure a smooth handover.
Waldron was said to have played a huge role in the development of the firm, leading work on its IPO in 2017, and developing its current group strategy. He served as CEO of its US business through the pandemic, and more recently, as Asian CEO and CFO, where he brought increased clarity to its financial processes including application of a new capital allocation policy.
Miley joined Bakkavor in 1998 and has held many roles within the finance function including being responsible for its approach to M&A, operational excellence, and ESG at various times. “We are really pleased to be appointing Lee as our new CFO, confirming our succession planning following a rigorous appointment process which included internal and external candidates,” commented Bakkavor chairman Simon Burke.
Bakkavor reported a strong performance in the first quarter of its latest financial year, with like-for-like sales across the group hitting £543.3m, representing year-on-year growth of 3.2%.
Joanna Jensen, non-executive director at Biscuiteers
The London-based, hand-iced biscuit company has named Joanna Jensen as a non-executive director. Jensen has a 12-year background in investment banking and founded baby and child personal care brand Childs Farm in 2014 – she sold 92% of the business to consumer goods group PZ Cussons Plc in 2022 for £36.8m, continuing as a brand ambassador.
Jensen is described as a strong supporter of women in business, mentorship, sustainability, and charity. She is an angel investor of female-founded brands and sits on the Advisory Board of female-founder association Buy Women Built, a movement of which Biscuiteers founder and CEO Harriet Hastings is a Founding Member.
Biscuiteers said Jensen’s experience in business development will be invaluable in its growth ambitions following further expansion of its wholesale business, strong growth across corporate sales, and the expansion of its overseas offering, particularly in the US. It recently partnered with Thortful to supply biscuits for orders with greeting cards.
“I’ve been a Biscuiteers fan since Harriet founded the business and admire the imagination and excitement the brand has created,” expressed Jenson. “I’m thrilled to now be part of their continuing adventures”.
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