Listed food-to-go player Greencore has named former Morrisons boss Dalton Philips as its new CEO, replacing outgoing chief executive Patrick Coveney.

Philips will join the sandwich giant from global airports and travel retail group DAA, where he has been group CEO since October 2017.

Prior to this he was CEO of Morrisons between 2010 and 2015, and has also held senior roles within Canadian grocery firm George Weston Group and Irish luxury goods retailer Brown Thomas.

He will assume his role on 26 September, replacing Patrick Coveney, who left Greencore at the end of March to join travel food specialist SSP Group.

“On behalf of the board, I am delighted to be welcoming someone of Dalton’s calibre and experience to Greencore’s senior leadership team,” said Gary Kennedy, executive chairman of Greencore.

“In addition to his outstanding knowledge of the grocery sector, he has a strong track record of leading dynamic consumer-related businesses. We see him as the ideal candidate to lead Greencore into the next phase of its journey as it continues to emerge strongly from the challenges of trading through the pandemic.”

Until Philips’ arrival, Kennedy will continue in the role of executive chair, supported by Kevin Moore, deputy CEO, and Emma Hynes, CFO.

Philips added: “I am hugely excited to be joining Greencore, which is a business I have long admired as an outstanding operator in the UK food manufacturing sector. I know from my time as a Greencore customer that this is a business with exceptional dynamism, adaptability and ambition, and one that is committed to the highest levels of product quality, customer service, and sustainability.

“I am looking forward very much to joining their industry-leading team in September, and to helping realise the significant future growth potential I see for this business.”

Broker Shore Capital said Philips “is a business leader of considerable experience”.

It added: “[His] time at Morrisons corresponded with one of the toughest times in recent British grocery market history when the major superstore groups faced into a material squeeze on household living standards alongside the peak disruptive influence of the German discounters’ advance in the UK market, causing notable managerial, strategic and financial disruption across the trade.

“Whilst challenging for sure, Philips has undoubtedly gained considerable insight, learning and experience through his distinguished career to date.”

Greencore shares are up 0.3% today to 110.2p on the news.

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