Richard Wells, managing director of Univeg in the UK, has announced his intention to retire from the business at the beginning of March this year, ending his 21-year spell at the head of the group.
Mr Wells established the company, formerly known as Malet Azoulay UK, in 1989, with the group subsequently developing into one of the country's major suppliers of exotics and stonefruit with an annual turnover of some £80m (€93.1m).
Malet Azoulay was acquired by Belgium-based fresh produce group Univeg in March 2007, marking its intention to develop a market presence in the UK.
Having successfully integrated the UK business into the Univeg organisation, Mr Wells has now decided to follow other interests and will be succeeded by David Prince, who joins the business from the Produce World Group where he held the position of divisional managing director.
'Given the recent challenges in our market, it was good that the Univeg group acquired Malet Azoulay in the UK,' said Mr Wells. 'The global strength and vertically integrated production approach of the group has opened new channels of activity for us, and I am proud to leave the company in a strong financial position with an excellent team and good prospects for future growth.'
Francis Kint, CEO of the business unit fruit and vegetable at Univeg, thanked Mr Wells for his time at the company and welcomed David Prince.
'We shall miss Richard's contribution to our management team and wish him well for the future,' he explained. 'In David we have been able to secure an able replacement for Richard and I am sure that under his management the company will continue to grow in the UK market.'
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