Tobacco expert joins Northern Foods

NORTHERN Foods has appointed a new group finance director.

Andrew Booker is to join the Leeds-based food manufacturer and will replace Jez Maiden, who is leaving Northern Foods to become group finance director at National Express Group.

Mr Booker is joining from Japan Tobacco International Inc/Gallaher where he was European finance director for three years and will join Northern Foods on November 17.

Mr Booker has held senior financial, sales and general management roles with tobacco manufacturing firm Gallaher Group for more than 19 years. He has worked in the UK, Spain and Austria during his career.

Anthony Hobson, chairman of Northern Foods, said: “We are delighted to welcome Andrew to Northern Foods. Andrew stood out from a very strong list of potential candidates for this role and brings very valuable commercial and financial skills to our management team.

“I would also like to express the board’s thanks to Jez Maiden for his significant contribution to Northern Foods over the past three years and for his support in the transition process to Andrew.”