General Mills UK boss Jim Moseley has stepped down after more than 15 years with the ambient and frozen specialist.

Moseley, who joined General Mills UK - formerly Pillsbury - as MD in 1999, said he had been lucky to work with “great people and a fantastic portfolio of brands”.

“I am obviously terribly saddened to leave General Mills after 15 very enjoyable and successful years. However, the time is right.

“I leave safe in the knowledge that the company is in a great position to continue to build on its success,” he added.

As managing director for General Mills UK, Ireland & Nordic, Moseley was responsible for brands including Häagen-Dazs, Old El Paso and Green Giant.

Its Jus-Rol chilled and frozen pastry and Betty Crocker baking kits have enjoyed strong growth off the back of the home baking trend, while its Nature Valley cereal bars benefited from a deal Moseley struck to sponsor the London 2012 Olympics.

The company said Scandinavia managing director Trevor Callander would act as interim managing ­director for UK, Ireland & Nordic, and that it would be announcing a permanent successor at a later date.

General Mills has also been recognised by both the Great Place to Work Institute and Best Workplaces schemes under Moseley’s watch, and has won FDF Community Partnership awards for community projects in the Uxbridge area where the company has its UK headquarters.

Moseley served as ­president of the Food & Drink Federation for three years until last December. He was previously chairman of the Provision Trade Federation. He is also currently a board member of FoodDrinkEurope.

It is understood Moseley, who left last month, will take on consultancy work and non-exec roles in the future.