People on the move in food and drink round-up
Dale Farm new commercial director
Dairy processor Dale farm has appointed former chief executive designate of Kepak as its new group commercial director.
Mark Boyle will be responsible for overseeing the commercial, marketing and New Product Development teams within the business across its domestic and international markets.
A leader with a wealth of experience in the food and drink sector, Boyle has held a number of senior roles during his career.
Prior to his time with Kepak, he previously led the Kerry Foods business across Ireland and held senior commercial roles with the Kerry Group and Green Isle Foods Group.
Headquartered in Northern Ireland, Dale Farm produces milk, cheese butter, spreads, desserts and ice cream under the Dale Farm, Spelga, Dromona, Mullins, Fivemiletown, Loseley and Rowan Glen brands.
Baker & Baker eyes international expansion with appointment
Specialist bakery products manufacturer Baker & Baker has hired Ryan Perera as international business development director.
Perera joins from Kerry Group where he was responsible for driving the branded food service business across Middle East and Africa as the sales director of the business.
Prior to working at Kerry Group, Perera held commercial leadership roles at various food and drink organisations and contributed towards delivering commercial excellence for brands owned by Aujan/Coca Cola, KraftHeinz and Mars within the Middle East.
Elizabeth Langley-Jones, chief commercial officer at Baker & Baker, commented: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Ryan to the team.
“While our European markets continue to drive growth as we exit the most stringent COVID-19 restrictions, we now have the capabilities and product expertise to establish new customer relationships further afield. Ryan’s experience operating in these markets will be invaluable.”
New hire food tech start-up
Artificial Intelligence food technology star-up Spoon Guru strengthened its leadership ahead of new high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) legislation the appointment of Johanna Bolinder to the newly created head of health and sustainability role.
A registered associate nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition, Bolinder will focus on providing expert guidance on a broad range of nutritional issues, including leveraging her deep understanding of scientific/regulatory affairs and consumer and sustainability trends.
Co-founder Markus Stripf said: “Johanna has vast experience working on business critical product change projects and will play an integral role in the business as we move towards making a positive difference at scale to the way we sell and buy food.
“Johanna’s passion about food and driving better health for people and the planet through sustainable food choices makes her a perfect fit for Spoon Guru and supporting our partners ahead of the HFSS legislation changes next year.”
New manager to head 223-year-old distillery
Cara Gilbert has become one of the world’s youngest distillery managers, heading up operations at one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries.
Gilbert has been appointed to oversee the running of Tobermory Distillery, on the Isle of Mull, where she will work under master Distiller Brendan McCarron. She’ll be responsible for production of more than a million litres of whisky and gin each year at the facility.
Commenting on Gilbert’s appointment, McCarron said: “Cara’s absolutely bursting with talent, passion and knowledge about distilling so it’s incredible to watch her tick off another career milestone.
“Whether it’s peated or unpeated malts, limited editions or an enticing range of gin, it’s the dream job for anyone and she’s going to do amazing things.”
Premier Foods appoints new head of sustainability
This month also saw Premier Foods appoint former Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) sustainable packaging director Nick Brown to head environmental, social and governance (ESG).
Reporting to corporate affairs and ESG director Hannah Collyer, Brown will oversee the manufacturer’s environmental, social and governance agenda and will be responsible for delivering against the company’s sustainability targets.
Commenting on his appointment, Brown said: “This is a hugely exciting time to join Premier Foods and as the business moves into its next phase of growth, I see a real opportunity to build on the momentum of the last 18 months, which has rightly brought ESG into sharper focus.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the teams and learning more about the business’s iconic brands, which will both play a crucial role in bringing Premier Food’s strengthened ESG strategy to life.”
