Change of role for Lambert at R&R Ice Cream

JAMES Lambert has stepped down as the chief executive of R&R Ice Cream, the Yorkshire-based food business recently bought by a European private equity firm for £716m.

Mr Lambert, who was recently named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the North of England, will remain as R&R’s chairman and will be replaced as CEO by Ibrahim Najafi, who has been with the company since 1998.

The management change was announced on the day private equity firm PAI Partners completed its acquisition of R&R from Oaktree Capital Management. The £716m deal had been announced in April.

Until yesterday, Mr Lambert had held the joint roles of managing director and chief executive.

Mr Lambert said yesterday: “Ibrahim is one of the best managers in the food industry and his skill, dedication and hard work have played a major part in R&R’s success to date. I could not be happier. I have such an able successor to continue to grow and lead such a fantastic and successful company.”

However, Mr Lambert stressed that he would still be playing an active role in developing R&R, working closely with its investors, customers and looking at further merger and acquisition opportunities.

Mr Najafi was appointed to the board in 2000.

In 2009 he was promoted to the role of chief executive for Europe, and he has been responsible for the growth of the business in Germany Poland, France and Italy.

R&R recently acquired Fredericks Dairies’ ice cream business in the UK.

The Fredericks acquisition added brands such as Cadbury, Del Monte and Vimto to R&R’s portfolio.

In a joint statement, PAI and R&R said yesterday: “PAI will support R&R through its next phase of growth, investing in the expansion of the company’s international footprint and renowned consumer brands in leading food and consumer businesses.”

R&R Ice Cream, originally Richmond Ice Cream, was founded in 1985 by Mr Lambert, and a group of farmers.