Boasting 25 years of experience, Soutar has held a number of senior positions across the food sector, including managing director of Hillsdown Moscow, Strathaird Salmon and Baxter Foods Group. He has spent the past 14 years with William Jackson Food Group.
Commenting on his appointment, Soutar said: “I have long known and admired Troy Foods, particularly for its entrepreneurial spirit, high quality products and strong customer focus. The company’s success is built on these solid foundations and it has huge potential for further growth.
Leadership experience
“I am looking forward to working alongside the board to take the business forward, helping shape its strategic direction and using my extensive leadership experience to support the senior team.”
Dating back to 1921, Troy Foods is a fourth generation family business that employs 400 people across its four Yorkshire sites. It supplies a selection of prepared vegetables for ready meals and retail packs into UK supermarkets.
In recent years, the company has diversified into processing value added lines such as dressed salads including coleslaw, potato salads, pasta salads and dips as well as mayonnaise and dressings to retailers and food service groups.
Troy Foods chairman David Kempley added: “Norman is a highly respected figure in the food industry and I am proud that he has chosen to join us and become Troy Foods’ first non-executive director.
Growth and improvement
“With his vast experience in the sector and more than 20 years of working with family businesses, he will bring immense value to the company as we focus on continued growth and further improving business performance going forward.”
This year has seen a number of senior appointments within the food and drink manufacturing industry.
In April, former Coca-Cola European Partners vice president of commercial development Simon Harrison joined food and drink group Princes in the new role of chief commercial officer.
Meanwhile, Lee Crank joined Wrights as its new head of purchasing after five years as managing director of consultancy Pegasus Purchasing Associates.