Morrisons and Burton’s post top management changes

By Gwen Ridler

- Last updated on GMT

Morrisons and Burton’s Biscuits have revealed management changes
Morrisons and Burton’s Biscuits have revealed management changes

Related tags Supermarket

Morrisons and biscuit manufacturer Burton’s Biscuits Company have both announced changes in their senior management.

Supermarket and food producer Morrisons has appointed a new trading director for its ambient division.

Barry Williams will take up the role starting from February next year, a year after he quit his role as chief customer officer at rival supermarket chain Asda.

Williams’ responsibilities will include: the core grocery, beers, wines and spirits, baby goods, household and health and beauty offers.

Morrisons’ group commercial director Darren Blackhurst said: “Barry brings a wealth of trading experience and relationships with food suppliers as well as a strong understanding of our customers.

‘Shaping a Morrisons team’

“His arrival is another step in shaping a Morrisons team that will listen to and work hard for customers.”

Williams left Asda after spending eight years in the retailer’s food trading divisions, serving as chief merchandising officer and category director for beers, wines and spirits before that.

He has also worked for Kwik Save, the Co-op and Musgrave Retail Partners.

“It’s an exciting time to join Morrisons, because it has an offer that stands out in the market and a very clear direction,”​ said Williams. “I am really looking forward to joining the company as it continues its turnaround.”

‘Seven years in the role’

Meanwhile, Burton’s ceo Ben Clarke will step down from his position after seven years in the role.

Clarke oversaw the sale of Burton’s to Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund in 2013.

He also oversaw the sale of the Cadbury business to Mondelēz international in the past month in a deal worth £200M.

The deal allowed Mondelēz to manufacture, market and sell Cadbury-branded biscuits, including Cadbury Fingers and Cadbury Animals.

Chief financial officer Nick Fields will take over as ceo and will assume joint leadership of the business with chief operating officer Simon Browne.

Fields and Browne will both report directly to James Lambert, who will continue s chairman of the company.

Greencore ceo Patrick Coveny took to social media to congratulate both Clarke and Williams in response to the tweet from the FoodManufacture Twitter account.

Coveney recognised that in a tough industry, Ben Clarke & Barry Williams liked by all!​ 

Meanwhile, for more news about people moving to new food and drink industry jobs, don’t miss our people on the move photogallery.

For the latest vacancies in food and drink manufacturing, visit FoodManJobs.

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