Supplier movers and shakers: new starters at Moët Hennessy, Paddy & Scott’s, Planday and more

Unox dedicates team to public sector

 

Cooking equipment manufacturer Unox has created a team dedicated to the public sector. UK key account manager Ben Ross and market development specialists Robert Edwards and Jason Eland will foster a tailored approach to further support the sector with the delivery and implementation of catering solutions.

 

Cater 4 You’s leadership change

 

Catering supplies company Cater 4 You has promoted Phil Stears from general manager to director. Cater 4 You offers a range of products including takeaway packaging, plastic glasses and partyware. Over the past few years, Stears has been an integral part of the business, navigating some challenging times within the industry.

 

Planday makes triple hire

Planday, the shift scheduling software from Xero, has recruited three new leaders. Sasha Bilton is now the brand’s interim chief technology officer, bringing more than 30 years of software engineering and leadership experience to the role, including stints at Amazon, 101 Ways and his own consultancy.

 

Joining as chief product officer, Pushpa Reddy is set to lead Planday’s product innovation and strategy and data functions. She joins from the BBC and has past experience at Just Eat, Sky, Thoughtworks and multiple start-ups.

 

Finally, the brand has appointed Marc Stewart as vice-president of operations and strategy. He joins Planday after a successful tenure at Xero, where he helped expand business operations across the UK, Canada and the US, most recently as head of operations for North America.

 

Vertical farming business swaps at the top

 

GrowUp Farms, a UK vertical farming business, has appointed Mike Hedges as its new chief executive to support the business as it drives ambitious growth over the coming years. He brings much experience to the role, having previously held chief executive/managing director roles with Little Moons, Proper Snacks and Tyrrells Crisps. Former chief executive Marcus Whately – who will continue as a shareholder in the company – has decided to step down after six years at the helm of the business.

 

 

Chef Works welcomes new trio

 

Culinary uniform supplier Chef Works has announced a trio of senior appointments as part of a new phase of growth in Europe and the Middle East. Tim Lee has joined as commercial director, while James Green has been appointed to a sales director role, taking over from Sam O’Kane who has been promoted to key accounts director EME. It takes the total head count of the business, headquartered in Leeds, to 21.

 

Lee was previously managing director at Elite Fine Foods in Sussex, Green joins from a business development role at Aqua Libra, while O’Kane hits his second promotion within the Chef Works family in the past three years.

 

Pictured, from left: Sam O’Kane, Tim Lee and James Green

 

Managing director promotion at the Litmus Partnership

Foodservice, purchasing solutions and facilities management consultancy the Litmus Partnership, has promoted Candice Finn to managing director. She previously held the role of commercial development director for two years. Finn brings much experience to her new position, garnered from senior roles at Sodexo, BaxterStorey and Mitie.

 

Welbilt UK creates senior management team

 

Catering equipment supplier Welbilt has made several internal promotions within its sales team. A senior management team reporting into UK and Ireland sales director Jonathan Butler will be created under a new structure that will focus on key business areas.

 

Bill Perry (pictured) is promoted to head of regional sales and James Benger assumes the lead culinary role as head of culinary UK and Ireland. They join Alistair Farquhar in his new role as national key accounts director.

 

WKD and Bottlegreen producer finds new chief executive

 

SHS, owner of the WKD, Meridian, Bottlegreen and Shloer brands, will welcome Paul Gillow as group chief executive in January 2025. He brings 19 years of industry experience, most recently as vice-president and commercial director at Asda. Gillow succeeds Arthur Richmond, who will retire after more than 28 years of service to the business.

 

Damm beer enlists new UK managing director

 

Spanish beer company Damm has recruited Luke White as its UK managing director. White will be responsible for the UK growth of the brewer’s Estrella Damm brand, as well as its wider portfolio including Free Damm, Damm Lemon, Victoria Malaga and Complot.

 

Bidfood executive to play key role at Scottish Wholesale Association

 

Jon Mack, business unit director for Bidfood Scotland, has been appointed as the new vice-president of the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA). With more than 30 years’ experience and established relationships within the Scottish wholesale sector, Mack is well-placed to represent and serve all SWA members over what is hoped to be an exciting period. He will work closely with newly-instated SWA president Tom Slaven to champion Scottish wholesale.

 

Carpigiani refreshes business development team

 

Ice-cream equipment supplier Carpigiani UK has recruited Andrew Tomkins (pictured) as business development manager and promoted Simon Holdsworth to national account business development manager. Holdsworth was previously business development manager for the north of England and Scotland, while Tomkins has much sales experience, having worked alongside some of the UK’s biggest retail and high street brands.

 

New marketing director for Holyrood Distillery

 

Jill Inglis has joined Holyrood Distillery as brand and marketing director. With over 20 years of experience within the spirits industry, Inglis joins the urban distillery from Gordon & MacPhail, where she was senior brand manager. She will be responsible for the overall strategic planning and development of Holyrood Distillery’s liquid portfolio, which includes Arrival, Embra and Ambir.

 

Winnow gains expert chef advisor

 

AI-powered food waste management equipment firm Winnow has appointed chef Vojtech Vegh as its zero-waste culinary advisor. He brings Michelin-starred restaurant expertise and he will train the company’s customer success team on reducing trimmings waste, enabling them to better support kitchens.

 

Two new board members for Seafish

 

Seafish, the public body that supports the UK seafood industry, has welcomed two new members to its board: Sarah Holmyard and Georgina Wright. Holmyard is head of sales and marketing at aquaculture company Offshore Shellfish and was recently appointed as a director of UK Women in Fisheries. She has extensive experience of the sea fishing and aquaculture industries, having previously held executive roles at Seafood Scotland, Interfish, Cleanseas and the Kingfish Company.

 

Wright, formerly the sales director at Mowi Scotland, brings 30 years’ experience of the seafood industry to the Seafish board. She served as chair of the Scottish Salmon Industry Brexit Working Group which worked to ensure the industry was prepared for the changes brought by Brexit.

 

CEDA’s new director pair

 

Catering equipment distributor association CEDA has welcomed Mo Romanowicz of NCE Group and Claire Smith of ABDA Design to the board. Romanowicz is passionate about mental health and hopes to make a positive impact and focus on improving mental health awareness across the industry, while Smith would like to help support the next generation coming through the industry and create a more diverse workforce.

 

Central Foods brings business development executive onboard

 

Frozen food distributor Central Foods has appointed Amy Oliver as business development executive. Oliver has experience of working in food retail and hospitality, but this is her first full-time position since completing her A-levels. She joins the sales team as part of expansion plans for the company and following the recent deal with Tyson Foods’ UK division to increase Tyson’s distribution of mainly chicken products to independent frozen food wholesalers in the UK.

 

Three Acre Brewery bolsters team

 

Ed Stubbs has joined Three Acre Brewery near Heathfield as assistant brewer. The new recruit grew up in Sussex, beginning working on the county’s vineyards before taking a sideways step into craft beer. He gained experience in the capital at East London Brewing, Mondo and Beavertown.

 

Signature FSE enrols office administrator

 

Michelle Murphy has joined light equipment supplier Signature FSE as office administrator. She will support the team through core back of house duties to ensure that orders and the company run smoothly, and Signature’s customers are supported consistently and effectively.