Premier Foods has announced that former Kraft Foods Europe president Ronnie Bell is to become its new chairman from October 1 this year.
Bell, 60, will replace outgoing chairman David Kappler.
Bell’s 30 year career with Kraft culminated in his appointment as President of Kraft Foods Europe, a position he held for five years. He was responsible for all of the group’s coffee, chocolate and grocery brands in the region. He is currently non-executive chairman of Milk Link and a non-executive director of both healthcare group Ansell Ltd and Scotch whisky group The Edrington Group. He will leave his role of non-executive director of Northern Foods which he has held since 2005 in order to take up his position as Chairman of Premier Foods.
“I am delighted to welcome Ronnie as chairman of Premier Foods,” said the company’s CEO Robert Schofield. “Ronnie has had a long and successful career in the food industry and brings with him a wealth of experience. I look forward to working with him as we focus on delivering organic growth and reducing debt.”
“On behalf of the Board, I would also like to thank David for his significant contribution to the Group since flotation.”
In addition, Charles Miller Smith has been appointed non-executive deputy chairman and will also begin his new role on October 1.
