2 Sisters hires former Morrisons’ boss to lead protein
Reporting to 2 Sisters ceo Ranjit Singh, Fletcher will begin his new role on Monday (April 4), drawing on his long experience of Morrisons’ vertically integrated supply chain. Fletcher spent more than 30 years at the retailer – also Britain’s second largest manufacturer of fresh food, where he was most recently group retail director.
Fletcher joined Morrisons’ management board in October 2010, with responsibility for what 2 Sisters described as “the group’s unique vertically integrated food manufacturing model”. He acted as ceo for the company’s 10 manufacturing subsidiaries.
Praising Fletcher’s wide industry experience, Singh said: “We are delighted to welcome someone of Martyn’s calibre and expertise to 2 Sisters Food Group. Martyn was instrumental in the implementation of Morrisons’ vertically integrated supply chain and has driven a number of successful productivity initiatives.
‘Morrisons’ vertically integrated supply chain’
“He has a strong track record in delivering change and innovation in what is a highly competitive retail environment, something which will be important for our business and for the Protein division specifically, as we further align our poultry business with the needs of our customers.”
The firm’s Protein division was described as “the anchor of 2 Sisters’ business”. At end of last year the group launched a £150M investment programme in its UK poultry business. Phased over the next three years, the investment will create “a world-class and industry-leading estate for poultry manufacturing”, according to the firm.
Fletcher looked forward to building on the existing business relationship he had forged with the manufacturer’s team and praised the firm’s ambition.
“I have spent many years working with Ranjit and the team at 2 Sisters and have always had a high opinion of the business, in particular the scale of ambition and the group’s ability to adapt quickly and respond to change and opportunities,” he said.
‘The scale of ambition’
“It is great to be joining at what is a very exciting time for the business and I look forward to working with a strong group of colleagues as we continue to drive the business forward.”
Meanwhile, both 2 Sisters and Northern Ireland meat processor Dunbia are remaining quiet on talks to form a joint venture centred on the two manufacturers’ red meat businesses.
Fletcher’s new role was the second senior appointment to 2 Sisters’ top management team last month. It followed the promotion of Jonathan Russell to the role of director of group procurement, responsible for the manufacturer’s £1.5bn a year purchasing budget and for managing its supply chain.
Russell has responsibility for a team of 22 specialist buyers, sourcing everything from animal feed to fresh food ingredients and packaging to plastic gloves for 2 Sisters’ 44 manufacturing sites.
The manufacturer claimed to be one of the UK’s largest buyers of food and agricultural products, accounting for about 10% of the UK wheat crop, and one of Europe’s largest buyers of mozzarella.
