ton christiaanse brakes

Brakes has announced Ton Christiaanse will replace Phil Wieland as its new UK CEO.

Christiaanse, previously CEO of meat processor Vion Food Group, will take up the role in early 2017, replacing Wieland, who is leaving to pursue other interests.

Most recently, Christiaanse was chairman of Scotch beef processor AK Stoddart and has held leadership roles in a number of organisations including Unilever, Farm Frites and risk solutions provider Acora, where he remains a strategic advisor.

Christiaanse will report to group CEO Ken McMeikan and will assume responsibility from Wieland on 1 January 2017 after spending time being introduced to the business and its operations in the wider group.

Brakes has also confirmed corporate, public and logistics MD Duncan Gibson will leave the business early in 2017, after six years. Gibson’s team will report directly to Christiaanse.

“We are delighted that Ton is joining Brakes - he has an excellent background in and understanding of the food industry and his energy and vision will help lead the next stage of our UK business’ development,” said McMeikan.

“Following the recent completion of the Brakes acquisition by Sysco, this is an incredibly exciting time for the business and Ton will play a pivotal role in ensuring that we capitalise on the opportunities that this has created. I would also like to thank Phil and Duncan for their extensive contributions to the business over the past few years. Both have helped to deliver a significant investment and development plan which has firmly re-established Brakes as the UK’s number one delivered wholesaler.”

Christiaanse added: “This is a great opportunity to join one of the UK’s most important food companies at an exciting time in its development. I have been very impressed with the board’s vision for the future and I am looking forward to working with the talented management team to ensure that we further develop our market-leading position.”