Senior appointments announced at M&S, Pladis and Applied Nutrition

M&S names new CFO​

Marks and Spencer Group has announced the appointment of Alison Dolan as its new chief financial officer.

Dolan will replace interim CFO Jeremy Townsend who is set to remain in post as planned until May 2025, with an exact date for Dolan’s arrival set to be announced in due course. She will also sit on the group’s board of directors.

Currently, Dolan is serving as the chief financial officer at real estate firm Rightmove, having previously worked for companies including News UK and Sky.

According to its financial results for the 52 weeks to 30 March 2024, M&S food sales increased by 13% year-on-year.

Reflecting on the appointment, Dolan said that she was delighted to be joining M&S at what she termed an “exciting time for the business”.​

“As a customer shopping at M&S I’ve always loved the brand and am thrilled to be part of reshaping the business for growth,”​ added Dolan.

“The scale and pace of change are significant and there are so many great opportunities ahead.”​

Stuart Machin, CEO at M&S, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Alison to M&S as our Chief Financial Officer. We are fortunate to attract somebody of Alison’s calibre who will be a fantastic addition to the leadership team and with so much experience in fast paced, digitally led businesses, will help us in this next phase of transforming M&S.​

“I want to thank Jeremy for all his hard work and support. He will leave M&S in the strongest financial health the business has been in for decades. But Jeremy’s not going anywhere quite yet and will, as was always the plan, remain with us until May 2025.”​

Pladis hires R&D vice president

Global snacks manufacturer Pladis has named Taryn-Lisa Molle-McConnell to the role of vice president of R&D for the UK & Ireland.

Molle-McConnell will be responsible for helping Pladis UK & Ireland to grow its reputation for innovation within sweet and savoury biscuits and cakes.

In addition to a degree in food technology, Molle-McConnell has more than a decade of experience in the sugar and sweetener sector where she received training as a confectioner and completed multiple courses at the Sugar Milling Research Institute and Campden BRI.

She joins Pladis having worked for companies such as McCormick, Mondelēz and PepsiCo.

Commenting on the appointment, Molle-McConnell said: “I am looking forward to working across such a fantastic portfolio of category-leading brands.​

“Pladis has a much envied reputation for creating game-changing innovation and I look forward to the challenge of working with a first class team as we look to build on such an incredible legacy.”​

“Taryn brings a wealth of experience as an R&D leader, with over 20 years of strategic research and development roles in various FMCG companies across European and global markets,”​ added David Murray, managing director at Pladis UK&I.

“Our UK&I business has been going from strength to strength with our industry leading pipeline of innovation being key to that growth. Taryn’s wealth of experience will no doubt charge this agenda even further for us.”​

Applied Nutrition appoints non-executive director

Applied Nutrition has confirmed the appointment of Marnie Millard as an independent non-executive director.

Millard boasts plenty of FMCG experience and a proven track record in leadership and business development, having served as group chief executive between 2013 and 2020 at Vimto producer Nichols.

Since then, Millard has taken on several non-executive director positions and currently holds the position of chair at UA92, Pura and Marks Electrical. She also previously served for three years as chair for the CBI in the North West and was an advisor to the Board of International Trade.

“With the Company's strong foundations in product innovation and international expansion, I am eager to contribute my expertise in brand marketing, innovation, and people development to support the Board in its next stage of growth and success,”​ commented Millard.

Meanwhile, Applied Nutrition CEO Thomas Ryder said that the firm was delighted to have made the appointment.

“Her extensive experience in leadership, strategic growth, and international trade will be invaluable as we continue to expand our global footprint and grow within the nutritional supplements market, including various hydration, recovery and energy drinks.”​

In other news, Crosta & Mollica has recalled a range of pasta sauces over fears that it may contain pieces of glass.​​