Northern Foods has appointed John Coppola to the new role of group technical innovation director as the food manufacturer bids to increase its NPD.

Coppola joins Northern, which makes products including Goodfella's pizza and Fox's biscuits, from Nestlé, where he was programme director.

As well as Nestlé, Coppola has worked for drinks giant Diageo as global technical director, at Heinz Babyfoods as head of research & development and at Unilever Ice Cream as R&D general manager.

In his new role, Coppola will provide high-level technical innovation expertise to ensure Northern's products are based on the best application of food science and technology, a Northern spokesman said.

Since joining Northern in February 2007, CEO Stefan Barden has introduced monthly innovation days for the company's senior team, including tasting sessions for existing and in-development products.

Coppola's appointment was part of a drive to take these initiatives further and ensure Northern was supplying the products consumers wanted to buy, the spokesman added.

Recent innovations have included the celebrated relaunch of its Fox's biscuits range featuring Vinnie the Panda. This month, it introduced Fox's Extremely Chocolatey Fruit and Nut Cookies to the range.

"I am delighted to bring John on board," Barden added. "This appointment reinforces our commitment to being a leader in food science and technology and placing it at the heart of everything we do."