Hilton Foods recently announced the appointment of Steve Murrells, the former CEO of Co-op, as the new Chief Executive. Murrells’ vast experience in the food and drink industry, including his role as CEO of Tulip and head of Co-op Food, makes him well-suited for the position. He has been associated with Hilton Foods for over three decades, having been one of the meat firm’s first commercial partners during his tenure as Tesco’s Meat Category Director.
Murrells’ appointment comes at a time when the current CEO, Philip Heffer, is stepping down from the board to become a Co-Founder and Advisor to the Hilton Foods Board. Heffer expressed his confidence in Murrells, saying that he was one of their first customers in the 1990s and has an excellent record in the food industry. He further added that Hilton Foods has grown into a major international business, offering a diverse range of products, including meat, seafood, vegan and vegetarian products.
The outgoing CEO praised the growth of the company under his leadership over the last five years and said that now is the best time to step down. He expressed his intention to continue to support the business’s growth in his new role, where he will focus on customer relationships and business development.
In a related development, Peter Feld has been appointed as the new CEO of chocolate maker Barry Callebaut, succeeding Peter Boone, who cited ‘personal reasons’ for his departure from the business. Felts’ outstanding leadership experience, spanning over three decades at top global consumer goods and services companies, makes him the ideal person to further develop Barry Callebaut successfully with a focus on sustainable growth. His rich background in the food industry, including his previous roles at the WMF Group and GfK, gives him a unique advantage in driving the company’s growth.
These appointments reflect an ongoing trend in the food industry, where experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds are being sought out to lead the industry’s transformation. As the industry becomes increasingly complex, it is imperative to find leaders who can navigate through the changing trends and lead the company to sustainable growth.
