Gareth Voyle, the former chief executive (CEO) of Geest, has been appointed chairman of the food businesses which Vision Capital is acquiring from Northern Foods, as predicted by Food Manufacture.
The appointment follows the announcement in November of the exchange of contracts for the acquisition of a portfolio of four businesses from Northern Foods for £160M.
Voyle will assume his role following completion of the transaction this month, subject to Northern Foods’ shareholder approval.
Voyle has over 21 years' experience in the UK food market. He worked for eight years (1998-2005) as chief operating officer and then CEO of Geest, the prepared food and produce businesses. He became CEO of the enlarged Geest Group in May 2005, following the company’s negotiated acquisition by the Icelandic Group Bakkavör HF. He resigned in May 2006 to pursue other interests.
Vision Capital's chief executive Julian Mash said: “We are delighted to have attracted someone of Gareth’s calibre to chair these businesses. The depth of his skills and experience in the UK food market will be a great help in implementing our strategy of investment and growth across the portfolio.”
The portfolio acquisition comprises: Fletchers Bakeries (which includes the La Baguette Doree business), a supplier of bakery products to retailers and foodservice; Smiths Flour Mills, a flour milling business; Park Cake Bakeries, which makes cakes and desserts in the UK; and Chilled Pastry, which produces chilled savoury pastry and includes brands such as Pork Farms and Bowyers.