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.”​