Senior appointment at baker Frank Roberts & Sons

Thurston will work the £90m turnover family-owned business to develop the Roberts Bakery brand’s added value products and the company’s own-label business. 

Welcoming Thurston to the role, deputy chairman Mike Roberts said: “His experience in the bakery and wider food industry will help us achieve greater stability and growth in these challenging times.” ​

Food sector experience  ​

He brings more than 30 years’ experience to the role, having held a number of senior positions across the food and drink manufacturing industry.  

Most recently Thurston served as chief operating officer at Advanced Agri-Tech Solutions and was previously project director for fresh foods at Brakes group. Thurston started his career in the food industry as managing director for Dawn Foods UK, Europe and Middel East operations from 1995-2000. 

Commenting on his appointment, Thurston said: “Roberts is proud to be a highly respected fourth generation family-owned business with over 130 years of baking heritage. We want to build on that heritage and take it to a wider customer base across the UK, while maintaining and developing our heartland customers.” ​

Building a sustainable business​  

“We are focused on building a sustainable business with a road map to deliver our emissions targets, investing in innovation that meets and exceeds today’s requirements and provides exciting products for the future.”   ​

Frank Roberts & Sons has a turnover of more than £90 million, with bakeries in Cheshire and Derbyshire. It employs more than 750 people, serving a mix of national branded retail, own label, food to-go and food service customers. 

Meanwhile, this month has seen a number of senior appointments​​ across the food and drink manufacturing industry, inlcuding new hires at Potato supplier Branston, GS1 UK and Sofina Foods.