Premier Foods Makes Leadership Changes After Poor Results

In the new structure, commercial leadership responsibilities will be split between the Grocery and newly configured Bakery businesses with the creation of two new Group Executive roles of Managing Director reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer, Michael Clarke.

Nov 2 2011 --- Premier Foods has announced changes to its Executive Director and leadership team to strengthen focus on the company's renewed growth plan.

In the new structure, commercial leadership responsibilities will be split between the Grocery and newly configured Bakery businesses with the creation of two new Group Executive roles of Managing Director reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer, Michael Clarke.

Following the creation of this new structure, the role of Chief Operating Officer will disappear. Consequently, Tim Kelly, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer will leave Premier Foods following a short handover.

Iwan Williams (53) will take charge of the company's £1.1 billion Bread, Cake, Milling and Brookes Avana businesses, starting in November.  Iwan has a wealth of general management and marketing experience gained through previous roles including President of McCormicks Europe, Middle East and Africa and Strategic Marketing Director of Coca- Cola, Asia Pacific. His earlier career included time with S.C. Johnson Wax and Cadbury Schweppes.

Graham Hunter (47) will join the company early in 2012 to lead Premier Foods' £1.0 billion Grocery business.  Graham joins from 2 Sisters Food Group. This company acquired Northern Foods earlier in the year where Graham was Managing Director of a number of the company's branded businesses, including Fox's Biscuits and Goodfella's Pizza.  His earlier career included general management and marketing roles with Jacob's Bakery and Mars.

Premier Foods last month reported a 3.6% fall in sales to £477m for the three months to 7 October and expects full year profit to be below market expectations.