Dairy Crest Regulatory News (DCG)

28 Nov 2007 10:31

Dairy Crest Group PLC28 November 2007 28 November 2007 Dairy Crest Group plc ("Dairy Crest")Appointment of new Executive Managing Director of the Foods Division Dairy Crest announces the appointment of Martyn Wilks to the Board as ExecutiveManaging 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 recentlyPresident of the Snackfood Division of Masterfoods USA, where he was directlyresponsible for 5,000 employees across all functions, including eightmanufacturing sites and sales offices throughout the US. Prior to this Martynheld a variety of senior management positions within the Mars and MasterfoodsGroups 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 willleave the Board with immediate effect. Peter has been on the Board since April2003 and is leaving by mutual agreement having decided that now is the righttime to pursue other career opportunities away from Dairy Crest. Mark Allen, Chief Executive of Dairy Crest, said today: "In the first instance, I would like to take this opportunity to thank PeterThornton for the significant contribution he has made to Dairy Crest during hisfourteen years with the Group. Peter has recently played an important role inboth the disposal of the majority of our retailer brand cheese operations andthe acquisition of the St Hubert spreads business in France. We wish Peter allthe best for the future. I am delighted to welcome Martyn Wilks to the Dairy Crest Board. Martyn has aproven track record at a very senior level within a major international foodgroup. This will be invaluable as we continue to develop our strong brandportfolio and build our market position in Europe following the acquisition ofSt Hubert". For further information, please contact: Dairy Crest Group plcWill Shaw, Investors 01372 472477Nicole Lander, Media 01372 472419 Brunswick 020 7404 5959Simon SporborgLaura Cummings Notes to editors: There is no further information to be disclosed in respect of Martyn Wilks underparagraphs 9.6.13 (1) to (6) of the Listing Rules. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange