Food manufacturing veteran joins Morrisons board

Former Express Dairies and Arla Foods boss Neil Davidson will join the supermarket’s board as non-executive director from October 1.  

The appointment of Davidson, the former md of Northern Foods’s milk division, was welcomed by Shore Capital analysts Clive Black and Darren Shirley.

“Neil Davidson brings considerable manufacturing experience to the board,” Black and Shirley said.

“Davidson has extensive experience of UK food manufacturing, including Produce Investments, where he is also a non-executive director, which we believe could be invaluable to Britain’s number two food producer.”

‘Seasoned executive’

The analysts said the “highly effective and seasoned executive” would complement another newly appointed non-executive director, former Procter & Gamble UK boss Irwin Lee.

Davidson will succeed Penny Hughes as chair of Morrisons’ corporate compliance and responsibility committee when she retires as non-executive director later this year.

Morrisons’ chairman Andrew Higginson said: “Neil Davidson brings a wealth of experience in the UK food manufacturing and retail sectors from his time as ceo of Express Dairies and Arla Foods and as a major supplier to Morrisons.

‘Dedication to board’

“I am pleased to welcome him to the Morrisons board. I would also like to thank Penny Hughes for her contribution and dedication to the board over the last six years.”

The appointment of Davidson comes after Morrisons ceo David Potts reaffirmed the retailer’s commitment to in-house food and drink manufacturing earlier this month.

Potts unveiled a six-point turnaround plan to revive the retailer’s flagging fortunes following a nearly 50% fall in profits before tax in the six months to August 2.

Davidson said: “I have always considered Morrisons to be a great business. I very much look forward to joining the board and to making a real contribution to the company’s revival.”