Board of Directors

Simon Oliver

Chairman (67)

Was appointed as a non-executive director in December 1997 and became Chairman in July 2000. He farms 670 acres of cereals in Cornwall and has many years experience in the dairy industry, notably as Chairman of Mendip Foods Limited prior to its acquisition by Dairy Crest in November 1995. He is Chairman of Private Investor Capital Limited and is a director of the Ambassador Theatre Group Limited.

Mark Allen

Chief Executive (48)

Was appointed to the board in 2002 and as Chief Executive from 1 January 2007. He joined Dairy Crest in August 1991. He was formerly with Shell U.K. Ltd.

Alastair Murray

Finance Director (47)

Was appointed in September 2003. He was Finance Director of The Body Shop International plc from January 1999 and was previously Finance Director of Dalgety Food Ingredients Limited.

Martyn Wilks

Executive Managing Director (50)

Was appointed in January 2008. He was President of the Snackfood Division of Masterfoods USA, and has held senior management positions within the Mars and Masterfoods Groups including Managing Director of Mars, France.

Anthony Fry

Non-Executive Director (52)

Was appointed as a Non-Executive Director in July 2007 and is the Senior Managing Director of Evercore Partners in the firm's London office. He has previously held senior appointments at Lehman Brothers, Credit Suisse and the Rothschild Group in a career in merchant banking which spanned more than 30 years. He is currently a non executive director of Control Risks and the BBC Trust and has served on the boards of Mowlem, The British Standards Institution and Southern Water as well as numerous not-for-profit organisations.

Howard Mann O.B.E.

Non-Executive Director (61)

Was appointed in May 2003 and was President and Chief Executive of McCain Foods Limited, Toronto, Canada from May 1995 to May 2004. He previously held a number of senior positions with Rank Hovis McDougall. He is also non-executive chairman of Reconomy Holdings Limited.

Neil Monnery

Non-Executive Director (46)

The Group Strategy Director of W H Smith. Was previously Head of UK Consumer and Retail Practice at Boston Consulting Group and BCG's European Corporate Development practice. He was also Chairman of WH Smith News until 2006.

Carole Piwnica

Non-Executive Director (50)

Practices law in Europe and the US as a senior consultant to NAXOS Capital Partners. Is currently a non executive director of Aviva and is a member of the Biotech Advisory Council of Monsanto. Previous senior appointments include roles at Toepfer and Tate & Lyle as well as the chairmanship of Amylum Group.

David Richardson

Non-Executive Director (56)

Was appointed in December 2004 and was Finance Director of Whitbread PLC from March 2001 until April 2005. He is a non-executive director of Forth Ports plc, Serco Group plc, Tomkins plc and the Restaurant Group plc.

Robin Miller

Company Secretary (37)

Was appointed in April 2008. He is a solicitor having worked in private practice, and in-house in both retail and international manufacturing, latterly with Gallaher Group Plc.