Freshtime is Ripe For Growth Says New MD
Former Florette chief executive Mark Newton (pictured) has set out ambitious plans for growth after taking over as managing director of the snack salad and vegetable specialist Freshtime UK. Mark Newton has left the Florette Group after 13 years to take charge of the Lincolnshire-based food to go business, which he says is ripe for growth.
“Freshtime is a business I’ve known and kept my eye on for many years. Our product range and our production capabilities are bang on trend – we specialise in fresh, convenience food and snacking products,” he says. “One of my main goals is to help it develop from a fantastic operation into a world-class business.”
Freshtime was initially set up as part of a growers’ co-operative but now supplies chilled, value added, ready-to-eat salads, snacks, prepared vegetables and sandwich fillers to leading multiple retailers and food service operators.
Mark Newton’s first objective will be to exploit the untapped potential he identifies within the firm.
“What we do, and have been doing for some time, is right at the heart of current trends: street food, fresh produce and food on the go,” he says. “Freshtime is a successful, growing business and because of our size we’ve also got the flexibility to innovate. Many of the larger corporates talk about innovation but in reality it takes them a year to get a product from initial concept to market.”
He adds: “Because we’re smaller, more nimble, we can innovate much more quickly and respond to market trends.”
He foresees expansion and growth and has no doubt that new jobs will be created at Freshtime’s site in Boston.
Mark Newton was commercial director, then managing director of Soleco UK – part of Groupe Florette – between 2000 and 2011 and was chief executive of Florette SAS from 2011 to 2013.
