Wrights Food Group has announced it has named Ian Dobbie as its new Managing Director. In his new role, Dobbie will focus on further growth across all trade channels and developing a strategic plan for the next stage of business expansion.
He will work alongside the firm’s Chairman Peter Wright and board of directors as they continue to develop more foodservice and retail partnerships, it said.
Dobbie has 20 years’ experience as a UK Managing Director, followed by the role of CEO in global bakery business Délifrance, where he specialised in the supply of frozen bake-off products. He has also held senior positions at Associated British Foods, CPC/ Bestfoods and Northern Foods.
“As an established food manufacturer, we are growing, evolving and entering new markets. Ian’s appointment marks a new chapter in almost a century of producing quality ‘family favourites’ for foodservice, retail and food to go markets and I know Ian is absolutely the right person to maximise the many opportunities that are open to us,” said Wright.
The appointment follows a period of significant change for Wrights Food Group, it added, which saw the business sustain its core foodservice supply, increase retail sales by 20% – including a new seasonal range with Marks & Spencer – and introduce food to go sub brands Urban Bistro and commercial food delivery service Wrights Bites alongside the addition of its on-site Sheaf Street bakery.
“While this is a challenging time for all businesses, it is also immensely exciting as we build on almost a century of Wrights food production across our multiple site business which has the capacity to grow alongside the agility to innovate and move quickly on customer briefs,” said Dobbie.
“Developing new partnerships and launching new lines has been a key focus of the last 12 months and I’m keen to lead the team in further strategic growth while continuing to invest in and perfect our NPD to introduce even more first-to-market products.”
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Kiran Grewal
Editor, International Bakery
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