Dairy Crest Appoints Wilks as Executive Managing Director of the Foods Division
Martyn Wilks, aged 49, worked for Mars Inc for 20 years. He was most recently President of the Snackfood Division of Masterfoods USA, where he was directly responsible for 5,000 employees across all functions.
29/11/07 Dairy Crest has announced the appointment of Martyn Wilks to the Board as Executive Managing Director of the Foods Division with effect from 7 January 2008.
Martyn Wilks, aged 49, worked for Mars Inc for 20 years. He was most recently President of the Snackfood Division of Masterfoods USA, where he was directly responsible for 5,000 employees across all functions, including eight manufacturing sites and sales offices throughout the US. Prior to this Martyn held a variety of senior management positions within the Mars and Masterfoods Groups including Managing Director of Mars, France.
Peter Thornton, currently Executive Managing Director of the Foods Division, will leave the company on 31 March 2008 following a period of handover. He will leave the Board with immediate effect. Thornton has been on the Board since April 2003 and is leaving by mutual agreement.
Mark Allen, Chief Executive of Dairy Crest, said today: “In the first instance, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Peter Thornton for the significant contribution he has made to Dairy Crest during his fourteen years with the Group. Peter has recently played an important role in both the disposal of the majority of our retailer brand cheese operations and the acquisition of the St Hubert spreads business in France. I am delighted to welcome Martyn Wilks to the Dairy Crest Board. Martyn has a proven track record at a very senior level within a major international food group. This will be invaluable as we continue to develop our strong brand portfolio and build our market position in Europe following the acquisition of St Hubert”.
