Associated British Foods has announced the senior management team for its newly created world foods business.

AB World Foods brings together ABF's G Costa division, which has brands including Blue Dragon, and Patak's, which it bought last year in a £100m deal.

G Costa MD Andy Mayhew has been named CEO and G Costa's commercial director Peter Baxendell takes the newly-created role of marketing and business development director.

Nigel Hardy has been appointed as sales director, another newly-created role. Hardy, who will focus on the UK and Ireland markets, joins from tobacco manufacturer Gallaher, where he headed the UK sales team.

"The priority will be to make sure our clients and contacts know and understand the new brand," said Hardy, who held senior roles at Tesco and M&S prior to joining Gallaher.

"Bringing together G Costa and Patak's creates a formidable portfolio of world food brands and expertise and it is important that is properly conveyed," he added.

Earlier this year, Patak's announced it was closing its frozen ready meals operation in Dundee, with the loss of 60 jobs. It blamed poor sales and the rising price of commodities.