Premier Foods has brought in two new directors and created a new role of grocery retail sales director.

Mark Tyldesley has been appointed savoury business unit director, replacing Sue Knight, who has moved to Pfizer. He will be responsible for driving growth in the cooking sauces & accompaniments, convenience meals and food enhancers categories.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge of growing sales and profit across our portfolio of iconic British brands," he said.

Tyldesley joins following four months of running his own private equity consultancy, having left his position as MD of Tesco's baby, beauty and toiletries category in September. Before joining Tesco he worked for Procter & Gamble for more than 15 years.

He will report to divisional MD of grocery Will Carter. "Mark's experience and energy will make a huge contribution to the continuing growth of our market-leading portfolio of brands," said Carter.

Domenico Speciale has taken up the new role, working alongside sales directors for bread, meat-free, chilled, foodservice and marketing. He will work under group sales director Ian York. "Speciale, with his experience and knowledge, will add immense value to our business," said York, "while freeing me up to sell across the group."

Speciale joins from Danone, where he was sales director for baby nutrition. He previously worked at Unilever in roles including account director, chilled category controller, marketing manager and business unit head for snacking.