Former Tesco executive brought in by Northern Foods owner

THE food group which bought Northern Foods and the Harry Ramsden’s fish and chip shop chain has brought in a former Tesco executive to help it grow even faster.

2 Sisters – the UK’s largest chicken producer – has appointed Dame Lucy Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG as a non-executive director.

Dame Lucy served on the board of Tesco as executive director of corporate and legal affairs from 2006 until January this year.

Before that she served as director of the Deregulation Unit, BIS (then DTI) and Cabinet Office from 1995 to 1997 and was a member of Prime Minister John Major’s Policy Unit from 1992 to 1994.

Sir Charles Allen, chairman of 2 Sisters Food Group, said: “She is without question one of Britain’s most respected and well-known business women and it is a real coup for us to have her in the board team.

“She brings unrivalled experience to 2 Sisters and her expertise and counsel will be invaluable as we look to continue to grow the business and realise our ambition of becoming one of the world’s best food companies.”

Dame Lucy said: “This is a great time to be joining the board at 2 Sisters and I’m very excited at the prospect of working again in a sector I know very well.

“I am looking forward to working closely with Sir Charles Allen, CEO Ranjit Singh and the rest of the team as we continue to build the business and deliver on our strategic objectives.”

Dame Lucy joins current 2 Sisters Food Group non executives: Sir Charles Allen (chairman), Andrew Cripps (chairman, audit committee), David Gregory (chairman, safety & governance committee) and Mark Hunter (chairman, remuneration committee).

2 Sisters’ brands include Holland’s Pies, Fox’s Biscuits and Buxted Chicken.