The Compleat Food Group has appointed Judith Batchelar OBE as strategic adviser to its Board as the food manufacturer continues its ambitious growth plans.
Batchelar is one of the UK food industry’s most recognised figures, having spent 17 years as Brand Director at Sainsbury’s and previously holding senior positions at Marks & Spencer and Safeway. A trained biochemist and nutritionist, she now holds several advisory, trustee and non-executive roles across the food and agriculture sectors.
Awarded an OBE in 2015 for services to the farming and food industry, Batchelar also serves as honorary president of the British Nutrition Foundation.
In her new role, she will work closely with the Compleat Food Group’s Board across technical operations, health and safety, sustainability, innovation, product development and brand strategy.
“Her passion for sustainable farming, coupled with her vast knowledge across the whole breadth of the grocery industry makes her incredibly well positioned to support our ambitious leadership team”
– Nick Field, CEO of The Compleat Food Group.
The Compleat Food Group has grown into one of the UK’s largest chilled prepared food manufacturers, employing more than 6,300 people across 18 sites and generating annual turnover of around £1.4bn.
The business owns a portfolio of well-known food brands including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights Food Group, The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co., unearthed and Vadasz, while also supplying own-label products to major UK retailers and foodservice customers.
Backed by private equity firm PAI Partners, the company has continued to expand its branded and own-label operations in categories spanning pastry, bakery, party food, deli products and plant-based foods.
Batchelar said she was looking forward to supporting the next phase of the company’s growth journey.
“Watching The Compleat Food Group’s impressive progress over the past five years has been truly inspiring, and the prospect of contributing to their ongoing achievements was an opportunity that I simply couldn’t resist.”
– Judith Batchelar OBE.
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