Bakery ingredients manufacturer, Macphie of Glenbervie, has appointed Shan Richards to replace Andrew Underwood as its new commercial director.

Richards joins the company from the French dessert firm Senoble, where she had been sales and marketing director for the past three years.

She had also worked for Dairy Crest, SC Johnson and Unilever and replaces Underwood who was appointed to the role in January.

Richards said: “I’m delighted to be joining Macphie, a highly successful ingredients business with a great reputation throughout the food industry for quality, innovative products and excellent customer service.  

“The company has made a strong start to the year in what have been challenging conditions in today’s competitive global food market, and it’s an exciting time to be joining the business as it embarks on an ambitious three-year growth strategy.

“We will continue to build close links with our strategic partners and invest in all areas of our business to keep us at the forefront of new ingredient and processing technologies. I am looking forward to delivering the benefits of these initiatives to our growing international customer base.”

The appointment comes after the company restructured in January, moving Alistair Macphie to the role of executive chairman for the company, and Andrew Underwood as managing director.

British Baker reported that Macphie would remain involved in the business, and the reshuffle would allow him to focus on longer-term objectives. He would also continue to oversee the Glenbervie Estate and Farm, where a new wind farm will be built in 2014.

Macphie had been in the role of chief executive for 18 years.

Macphie said in January: “The restructure will give a greater focus to both our forward investment plans, as well as the operational challenges we face in today’s competitive global food market.