Stefan Barden Leaves Northern Foods to Head Brakes UK
Having lost out on the job to head Essenta Foods, which is being created by the merger of Greencore and Northern Foods, Stefan Barden (pictured) is leaving his post as chief executive of Northern Foods to join food service supplier Brakes Group as UK chief executive.
Stefan Barden has been chief executive of Northern Foods since January 2007 and has led an operational turnaround at the UK convenience foods group, stabilising the business after a series of profit warnings; increasing sales and profits, and refocusing the portfolio. Indeed, the turnaround has paved the way for the recently announced proposed merger with Greencore to form Essenta Foods. Patrick Coveney, chief executive of Greencore will become chief executive of Essenta Foods.
Simon Herrick, group finance director at Northern Foods has been appointed as acting chief executive, while Steve Henderson, group financial controller, becomes acting chief financial officer.
Brakes UK is the leading supplier to the catering industry. It has a turnover of £1.7b and 9000 staff across 70 locations. Brakes Group has an increasing international presence, recently acquiring operations in Ireland and Sweden, with revenues of over £2.6b.
