Typhoo Tea Ltd has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer who will bring with him experience of working in seafood, meat and Cadbury Desserts.
Des Kingsley has taken on the role from Somnath Saha, who Typhoo says stepped down in August last year after a "difficult" trading period.
The move is effective as of last month, with Mr Kingsley having operated as a CEO and MD for almost 20 years.
According to Wirral-based Typhoo, he has "extensive experience" in business development, operational management, cultural change and company turnarounds.
Mr Kingsley has moved from Thanet Earth, the UK’s biggest single hi-tech glasshouse growing facility in Kent, with his other experience including in ready meals, sandwiches and fresh produce.
Karan Paul, chairman of Typhoo Tea, told BusinessLive: "At a transformative time for the tea industry, Des’ appointment as CEO marks a new period of change.
"The Board of Directors are confident he can drive the business forward and unlock new opportunities for the future whilst focusing on delivering operational excellence.
“His experience in global sourcing and establishing new supply chains across Europe, North Africa, the Americas and Asia will also bring a new strategic approach to driving supply chain synergies across International markets. We look forward to seeing where this leadership turnaround will take us next.”
Mr Kingsley said: “I am thrilled to be working with the Typhoo team to tackle the challenges the business currently faces, developing new and existing prospects for the business, its brands and consumers.
"There will be a re-focus on its products, across both brands and own-label, as well as ongoing innovation and operational improvement. I am committed to ensuring that we build on such a vast wealth of brand heritage and carve a new future for the company, maximising our potential for success in this fast-paced, ever evolving industry.”
His time at Thanet Earth saw Mr Kingsley oversee "significant" expansion of the 55ha site.
He has fostered comprehensive commercial trade partnerships with major British and international retailers.
Additionally, he also acted as chairman of the UK’s £6.5bn Chilled Food Association, which helps promote technical standards, innovation and food science education in the manufacturing industry.
