The Fresca group has announced a new working arrangement with its Spanish joint-venture business partner Martinavarro, as well as significant management changes.

MM Global Citrus Ltd (MMG) is owned jointly by Martinavarro and Fresca and sources citrus not just from Spain but a further 20 countries worldwide. A spokeswoman for Fresca said: “To remain successful we must ensure that MMG meets the demands of the marketplace in the most efficient way possible. MMG has become a major player in the UK citrus market while Martinavarro has developed into being Spain’s largest grower and exporter of citrus as well as an all-year round supplier to the Spanish market.

“The time is now right to bring our businesses even closer together, with the objective of maximising MMG’s unbeatable knowledge of the UK market, and Martinavarro’s exceptional expertise in growing and processing fresh citrus.”

To oversee this new phase of development, Garry Cirillo – who led MMG Citrus when it was set up in 2007 until 2011 – is welcomed back from the Mack Service business into the new position of general manager of MMG. Chris Butler is moving on from his role at MMG Citrus to become one of two new business unit directors for fruit. The other newly created post will be filled by Janina Dowding who will continue to oversee stonefruit, melons and grapes while Butler will manage soft fruit, bananas, pineapples and avocados.

Matt Smith will relinquish his quality assurance (QA) position at Mack Multiples to return to bananas in the role of commercial manager reporting to Chris Butler. Richard Barnes will assume responsibility for the QA function.

Stephen Swainston will become business unit director for vegetables and group operations director Tim Espley will take on operational duty for Mack Service. Mack Multiples managing director Nigel Trood said the changes strengthened the business.