Supplier movers and shakers: new starters at Booker, Diageo, Meiko and more

SuiteOp recruits head of growth

Guest operations platform SuiteOp appointed Jordan Cohen as its new head of growth. He will drive outbound and inbound demand generation, cultivating property management system and ecosystem partnerships and overseeing conference strategy and thought leadership initiatives. Cohen joins SuiteOp with a track record in property technology and data-analytics software as a service. Most recently, he served as director of business development at Radix/redIQ, where he played a pivotal role in growing annual recurring revenue from $1m to $10m, leading to the successful acquisition of redIQ.

 

 

Whisky expert joins Saltire Rare Malt

Saltire Rare Malt, based in Falkland, Fife, has taken on Jan Damen as European sales director. He brings with him 25 years of single malt whisky experience, heading up the roles of operations director for Europe at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, group commercial and operations director at the Artisanal Spirits Company and general manager at the Single Cask.

 

 

HTG creates account manager role

Tom King has joined HTG Trading as key account manager. This new role will cover multiple brands in the HTG portfolio, working with both the Hubbard Systems and Taylor UK divisions, including products such as Scotsman ice-makers, Taylor soft serve ice-cream machines, Eloma combi-ovens and TurboChef high speed ovens. He will be responsible for managing some of the market’s largest customers, as well as being tasked with bringing on board new chain accounts, growing sales revenue and helping to enhance the overall customer experience.

 

 

Fourth generation family leader for Macphie

Scottish food ingredients firm Macphie has appointed Ed Widdowson as its new chief executive officer. Widdowson’s appointment marks the fourth-generation family leadership for the foodservice firm. Prior to joining Macphie in 2017, Widdowson worked in strategy, sales and marketing for companies including Procter & Gamble and Duracell UK. Since joining the family company, which was founded in 1928, Widdowson has worked as head of sales, site director at the company’s manufacturing headquarters in Aberdeenshire, as well as strategy, people and sustainability director.

 

 

DTM hires UK sales manager

Food printer manufacturer DTM Print has brought in Robert Boyce as its new UK sales manager. He brings with him more 14 years of experience in the printing industry, with a background in sales and business development. In his new role, Boyce will support existing customers and explore new business opportunities.

 

 

Alto-Shaam’s new commercial leader for fuelling UK growth

Cooking equipment manufacturer Alto-Shaam has further expanded its UK team by appointing James Olbort to the newly-created role of commercial leader. He will be responsible for driving strategic growth across the UK, developing and implementing new sales strategies, building long-term partnerships with dealers and consultants and ensuring high levels of customer service and support. A trained engineer, Olbort joins Alto-Shaam with almost 30 years’ experience in the foodservice industry, latterly as business development manager for CED Fabrications.

 

 

Commercial leader swaps Britvic for AG Barr

Dino Labbate has joined AG Barr as chief commercial officer to drive a portfolio of beverage brands including Irn-Bru, Rubicon, Funkin and Boost. Prior to this, he spent seven years at Britvic, most recently as GB commercial director for hospitality. With previous roles at Kraft Heinz, Burton’s Biscuits and Northern Foods, Labbate brings much experience from across all channels of the food and drink industry.

 

 

Vision restructures roles to enhance efficiency

Commercial kitchen and equipment supplier Vision Commercial Kitchens has appointed Ross McAuley (pictured) as finance director and Stan Cookson as operations and compliance director. Previously, the finance and operations functions were combined under a single role. This restructuring is designed to optimise operational efficiency, enhance client experience and strengthen the company’s partnerships with suppliers and customers. Cookson was promoted from the operations and compliance manager role, while McAuley brings over a decade of finance leadership within the construction industry.

 

 

Chapel Down recruits CFO

English winemaker Chapel Down has appointed Lourens (Louan) Mouton as chief financial officer, company secretary and director, replacing Rob Smith. Mouton is a chartered accountant with experience in consumer goods organisations, including group finance director at Fevertree Drinks and more recently as CFO and board director at Typhoo Tea. Prior to that, he held roles at Natural Capital Partners, BHP Billiton and Deloitte.

 

 

Valentine welcomes new south east sales manager

Cooking equipment firms Valentine & Cuisinequip have added Mark Bradford as regional sales manager for London and the south east. With more than 30 years of kitchen and equipment experience under his belt, he will play a key role in supporting new and existing customers, taking the lead on product training for operators and being on hand for equipment queries and troubleshooting, as well as driving growth across his region. His CV includes roles as commercial development chef at Lactalis, area sales manager at Robot Coupe UK and southern area sales manager at Premier Cheese.