Senior finance hire for Lincs food firm

Sleaford Quality Foods, the Lincolnshire-based high-quality ingredients supplier to the food industry, has added to its senior team with the hire of Alan Thomas as group head of finance.

Thomas brings with him wide experience of food industry finance after spending more than 15 years firstly as head of finance at Bakkavor before moving to become finance manager at PepsiCo in Leicester and then finance director at Walkers Midshire Foods – part of Samworth Brothers.

Thomas says one of the reasons he joined Sleaford Quality Foods was because its growth ambitions, and the desire to work with managing director James Arnold.

“James as an MD is an engaging person to work alongside,” said Thomas. He added: “The expansion plans that he outlined to me were exciting and we’re now busy putting plans into place for the next four years to achieve our targets. There are huge opportunities for the company to add to its foodservice and manufacturing channels and to expand into the retail sector. It’s an exciting time to be working here.”

James Arnold, managing director, said: “It’s great to have Alan on board for what will be a period of rapid growth for Sleaford Quality Foods – and he will play an integral role in that. Alan’s strategic vision capabilities will be vital as we look to grow into different markets. His focus on the performance of our business will go a long way to ensuring we meet our turnover growth targets by the end of 2021.”