2 Sisters chairman retires from business

Lord Charles Allen will step down in early 2020 to make way for former Co-op group chief executive Richard Pennycook.

Joining Boparan holdings in 2011, Allen helped steer the company since its acquisition of Northern Foods and its transition to the diversified food manufacturer it is today.

Owner and president 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.​

Invaluable skills and experience​

“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.”​

Pennycook left his position as Co-op chief executive in 2017 and is currently chair of Howdens Joinery, Fenwick and the British Retail Consortium. He is also the lead non-executive board member at the Department of Education.

Commenting on his new role with the 2 Sisters owner, he said: “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.” ​

Return of Boparan as managing director​

Pennycook’s appointment comes two months after Boparan returned as managing director of 2 Sisters​​. He replaced departing managing director Andrew McInnes, assuming the role alongside Boparan Holdings’ president and group chief executive Ronald Kers.

It was thought the move was driven by Boparan’s growing frustration over the performance of the poultry business, which supplies the UK’s biggest supermarket chains.

Meanwhile, Former PepsiCo head of insights and analytics in Asia Geoff Painter has joined biscuit manufacturer Pladis​​.