- Ready-to-use pastry manufacturer Saxby's has promoted former operations director Brian Homewood to the new role of commercial director. He has worked for the company for three years and joined the business from sandwich manufacturer Buckingham Foods.
Simon Proctor joins the company as factory manager from Glanbia, the dairy processor and food ingredients group.Completing the trio is Sebastian Boulanger, who joins as product development manager from French patisserie company Maison Blanc Park Royal.
- Mark Ainsbury has joined duckling specialist Silver Hill Foods as business development manager. He will work alongside UK sales manager James Pearton.
- The Society of Food Hygiene Technology (SOFHT) has a new chairman and vice chair as well as two new board members. Simon Houghton-Dodd, quality and environmental manager at Tate & Lyle Sugars Europe becomes chairman while technical development controller at Budgens Stores Jonathon Bayne is vice chair. Alison Lacey joins the board as training services director. Sam Osili, md of Pestfree Environmental also joins the board.
- ECR UK has appointed Somerfield supply chain director Martin Oakes and Nestlé supply chain director Chris Tyas as co-chairmen.
- Martin Rome, trading director at dried fruits company Whitworths, has been named president of FRUCOM, the European Federation for Trade in Dried Fruit, Edible Nuts, Preserved Food, Spices, Honey and similar foodstuffs.
- Sabine Selos has transferred from Alpro's head office in Belgium to become UK product manager.
- Tony Harris CBE (below right) has stepped down as chairman of regional food group Heart of England Fine Foods (HEFF) after leading the board since 1998. Replacing him is Mike Newitt, formerly commercial director retail with Milk Link. Despite taking early retirement, Newitt has accepted the role as HEFF chairman to "champion the case for the smaller producer"
The BCCCA (Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate & Confectionery Association) has elected Malachy McReynolds, md of chocolate maker Elizabeth Shaw, as its new president, while former communications director Penny Hawley has taken over the role of director general from Mike Webber OBE.
"These are critical times for the food industry," says McReynolds. "On a commercial level we see the long awaited reform of the sugar regime, in the regulatory environment we will lobby as strongly on nutritional labelling as we have on claims, and corporate responsibility will continue to be high on company agendas reflecting our commitment to the responsible sourcing of our ingredients."