McCollum joins Mash as a non-executive director after spending more than 20 years with Moy Park. After joining in 1993, she held a number of senior positions before taking the top role in January 2014.
McCollum left the business last year, replaced by Greencore’s former head of US operations Chris Kirke. Since May 2018, she has sat on the board for global nutrition firm Glanbia’s Ireland operations.
Launched in 2004, Mash Direct supplies a range of ready to eat vegetable and potato dishes and has more than 165 staff working on site. In its last financial results, the company reported sales growth of 6.2% to £16.95m for the 12 months to 28 February 2018. Pre-tax profit took a slight hit from the distribution and storage of stocks held for export markets.
FMEA winner
In 2016, the producer was crowned Food Manufacture Company of the Year at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards and was highly commended in the Chilled & Fresh Produce Manufacturing Large Company of the Year category last year.
The appointment of McCollum followed a number of senior hires the food and drink industry over the past month.
Last week saw dairy processor Meadow Foods strengthen its senior team with the appointment of Gary Lambert as its head of strategic operations and Emma Stevens as its head of HR.
Meanwhile, Powdered food brand Huel hired former Sainsbury’s buying manager Daniel Plimmer as head of procurement and demand as it forged ahead with expansion plans.
