David Glennan joins the manufacturer as head of operations and technical, while Daid Nairn steps into the active role of chairman and company secretary.
Seasoned industry expert Glennan previously held senior positions at a number of snack manufacturers over his career, including Yellow Chips, Corkers Crisps, Tyrells and his own family’s vegetable crisp factory, Glennan’s – sold in 2011.
As head of operations and technical, he will oversee the day-to-day running of Fairfields Farm’s on-site crisp factory, lead technical processes and champion continuous improvement across the business.
Supporting development
Glennan will also play a central role in the company’s innovation pipeline, supporting the development of new flavours and production efficiencies. The appointment also reunites him with his brother, Richard Glennan, who serves as Fairfields Farm’s sales director and with whom he has previously collaborated on multiple projects.
Commenting on his appointment, Glennan said: “Fairfields Farm has built something really special. Behind the strong brand is great people and a real appetite for innovation. My focus is on helping the business scale smartly, keeping quality at the heart of everything we do.”
David Nairn’s new role will see him take a more active role in the business, having previously served as a non-executive director since 2023.
He brings a wealth of leadership experience to the role, having spent 12 years as chairman and managing director of another snack manufacturer, Burts. He has also held a number of directorates across a broad spectrum of businesses across his over 50-year career.
‘Vision and momentum’
Nairn added: “Since joining Fairfields Farm in 2023, there has been an impressive vision and momentum behind the brand and the business. Stepping into the role of chairman gives me the opportunity to help steer that momentum in a meaningful way as we take the business to the next level.”
These latest appointments follow a successful year for Fairfields Farm which saw the Essex-based business invest in a state-of-the-art on-site fryer, boosting crisp production capacity by 90% and supporting increasing demand across retail, trade and online channels.
The leadership team update also coincide with the launch of two new crisp flavours in 2025 – Chorizo & Red Wine and a new limited-edition festive flavour to be unveiled later this year.
