Hovis bakery has announced the departure of marketing director Matt Hunt.

The brand said his successor will be announced in due course. It will be looking for someone who can help steer its £200m five-year investment programme to recoup leadership status from Warburtons.

Hunt will leave the brand at the end of the month to join digital marketing agency Futureproof.

Hovis is set for a hefty windfall after Premier Foods handed management of the brand to Gores Group in April. Gores Group now owns 51% of the bakery brand. Premier Foods has the remainder.

Gores Group has aimed to deliver improvement in sales and profits within six to 12 months.

Premier has backed this plan by investing £15m into the first year of the baking division.

At the time, Gavin Darby, chief executive of Premier Foods, said: “This is exciting news for the bread business and a great deal for Premier. We can now focus our attention and resources on developing our category-leading grocery brands.

“A joint venture arrangement also means we will share in the future gains from this investment as the business continues its return to profitable growth, helping us maximise value creation. Both parties are excited by the opportunities this transaction brings.”