New chairman for food group

Richard Pennycook will succeed Lord Charles Allen of Kensington later this year at the business, which is the parent company of 2 Sisters Food Group

Lord Allen has decided to retire from the business which has chicken processing factories in West Bromwich and Wolverhampton.

During almost nine years in the non-executive Chairman role, Lord Allen has helped steer the company since its acquisition of Northern Foods in 2011 to become a diversified food manufacturer

Owner and president of Boparan Holdings, Ranjit Singh Boparan, said: "I have very much enjoyed working with Charles and would like to thank him for his wise counsel, support and leadership over the last nine years.

"I am delighted we have been able to attract Richard to the chairman role and I look forward to working with him. His knowledge, skills and experience of the sector will be invaluable as we continue to transform the business."

Lord Allen said: "I have very much enjoyed my time at 2 Sisters Food Group and working with Ranjit and Ronald Kers, the CEO. They are a formidable team and I wish them continued success with the business."

Mr Pennycook was previously the CEO of the Co-op Group from 2014 and led the transformation of the business.

He is also the chairman of the British Retail Consortium and the lead non-executive board member at the Department of Education.

"I have long admired 2 Sisters and I am very excited to be taking over the chairman role. I look forward to working with Ranjit and Ronald to further build and strengthen the group," said Mr Pennycook.