Ben Clarke has announced he will step down from his post as chief executive of Burton’s Biscuits Company after seven years in the post. 

In a statement on the company’s website, Burton’s said: “Ben has overseen the transformation and sale of the business to Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund in 2013 and the successful sale of the Cadbury business to Mondelēz International.”

It added that he had driven the growth of brands both old and new, materially improved the company’s assets and capabilities, built a strong international platform and significantly improved earnings.

Nick Field, current chief financial officer, will become chief executive and, with Field, Simon Browne, current chief operating officer, will assume joint leadership of the St Albans-based business.

The company said Browne would continue to lead the day-to-day operations across commercial and the supply chain, adding: “Nick and Simon will both report directly to James Lambert who will continue as chairman of the company.”

Burton’s recently announced that it had expanded its Christmas biscuit range.