FDBusiness.com

Highland Spring Group, the UK’s largest producer of bottled water, has appointed Mark Steven as group finance director as it continues to deliver its ambitious growth strategy. Previously chief financial officer at VION Food Group and operations finance director of Grampian Country Food Group, he brings a wealth of food and drink manufacturing experience to Highland Spring Group’s senior management team.

Mark Steven is a chartered accountant, having attended Harvard Business Schooland the University of Aberdeen. He was based in the US and Thailand for four years before taking on roles with several significant producers in the UK food and drink sector.

Mark Steven.

The appointment comes in a milestone year for the business following the group’s flagship brand Highland Spring being named the number one bottled water brand in the UK; the first time a British brand has led the category, signalling the end of 30 years’ domination by imported multinational competitors.

Les Montgomery, chief executive of Highland Spring Group, says: “In recent years we have grown significantly from a single brand to a robust portfolio business under the guidance of a strong management team and Mark’s appointment will bolster this. With his extensive commercial experience, he will be a valuable asset to Highland Spring Group as we move into a new strategic phase beyond our short-term targets of becoming a £100 million and 500 million litre turnover company and expand our portfolio into broader FMCG categories.”

The UK packaged water market is in growth with volume up 4.7% year on year in 2012. Highland Spring Group contributed 26% of this growth bottling 404 million litres (including exports) in 2012 with its brands Highland Spring, Speyside Glenlivet and Hydr8 as well as its successful own label business. (Zenith Report on UK Bottled Water April 2013; Zenith International).