In a major shake-up at one of the UK's largest potato operations this week, parent company Premier Foods announced a number of management changes in its MBM potato business.
These changes include the appointment of Stephen Bolton as managing director, to replace Ian Craig who left the business earlier this week. Board members John Evans and Robert Beeson also left the business at the same time.
The announcement came a week after the company revealed that its chairman John Manchett would be leaving MBM in June. "These latest departures are entirely unrelated to last week's announcement," said a Premier Foods spokesman. "Premier is taking a view on how best to move the business forward and we would like to make clear that MBM is a strong business operating in a changing environment. Strong customer and supplier relationships are the cornerstone of the business and there is no reason for customers or suppliers to doubt that will continue to be the case."
Rumours in the marketplace that the board members were given their marching orders because MBM had not won a significant deal with Tesco despite costly investment in now underused plant and equipment, were described as "simply not true," by the spokesman.
Premier has also reassured the trade that it has asked a number of the existing MBM board to remain with the business including Chris Compson (finance), Peter Pattrick (seed business), and Jim Hollywood (Scotland).
The company also said that the appointment of Bolton was extremely advantageous for MBM. Bolton was previously Premier's commercial director and held responsibility for the group's convenience foods, pickles, sauces and export activities. "He brings to MBM extensive commercial management experience, and underpins Premier's commitment to creating a vibrant and successful business that is better positioned to respond to the needs of the marketplace and develop the commercial opportunities available to it," said a statement.
Premier has MBM employs approximately 800 employees. It is owned by Premier Foods, which is itself one of the UK's leading food companies, with a turnover of around £1 billion.
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