Branston Ltd has recruited Adrian Hayler to head up its prepared foods division as it looks to develop its customer base, market share and product range.
Hayler joins Branston as general manager of the prepared foods division, and will be responsible for ensuring the efficient running of the new £3.5 million prepared foods factory, as well as overseeing the division’s marketing and commercial activity.
Hayler said: “Branston is at a really exciting stage and I am looking forward to growing the prepared foods division. It’s a really big challenge but one that I am looking forward to. I have gained strong commercial and operational experience in my career and look forward to using these as general manager of the new facility.
“Everything is in place: the factory is one of the most advanced food production sites in the UK, the team here are exceptional and the product range brings together great-tasting, convenient food, with excellent growth opportunities for our customers.”
Hayler has more than 20 years' experience within agri-business and the food sector, having most recently enjoyed seven years with fruit specialist Utopia, where he developed key accounts with Tesco and Marks & Spencer. Before working for Utopia, he was a director of Lingarden Flowers which he joined after developing his career with Dalgety in the south of England.
Greame Beattie, Branston’s managing director, added: “We are very pleased that Adrian has joined our team. His experience in the food industry and prepared produce will complement the skills of our current team and we are really looking forward to seeing Branston prepared foods develop with him at the helm.”
The Branston prepared foods division has grown rapidly since it was established in 2005. Last year the company became the category leader for Tesco prepared potato products and earlier this year it opened its own purpose-built high-tech, high-spec factory at its Lincolnshire site. The factory, which was officially opened by celebrity chef James Martin in July, is one of the greenest food production sites in the UK and has led to 40 new people joining the Branston team.
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