Poultry processor appoints managing director

Third-generation family board member Andrew Soanes is joined by wife Sarah and son John, who is currently completing his studies at Harper Adams Agricultural College and will return to the business later in the year. Claire Wright is promoted from financial controller to finance director in the restructure.

Commenting on the changes, Soanes said: “Nigel has been successful in giving the business direction and a greater sense of purpose, positioning our local, rural business as a producer of great chicken with high ethical values in national markets.​

Driving change​

“Claire has been a breath of fresh air. Not only has she delivered sound accounting and financial controls, but she has shown a clear determination to drive change and deliver improvement across the business.”​

Soanes Poultry has also promoted former sales co-ordinator Ben Lee to the position of head of sales and marketing. He will be in charge of the company’s new business development and marketing strategy.

Upson added: “Ben is a highly valued member of the team who has made a fantastic contribution to our business over the last 11 years. His promotion is very well deserved and I look forward to seeing him lead the team to great success.”​

70 years ​

Operating for more than 70 years, Soanes Poultry. based in Middleton-on-the-Wolds, is a family-owned business that rears and prepares its own chicken. It employs more than 100 people and sells its chicken to butchers and independent retailers in Yorkshire and to wholesalers nationwide.

Meanwhile, Cornish brewer St Austell Brewery is to appoint Kevin Georgel as chief executive,​​ following the retirement of James Staughton in January next year (2020).

Currently a non-executive board member for St Austell, Georgel will step down from his five-year tenure as chief executive of Admiral Taverns to take on his new role.