Andy Pembroke

Sysco GB has appointed Andy Pembroke as the new MD of Fresh Direct.

He replaces Andy Farnworth, who is leaving the business having spent over seven years heading up the fresh food supplier.

Pembroke has been with Fresh Direct for more than 10 years, holding senior positions including head of supply chain and sales director.

The business said that in his time as sales director, Pembroke had responded effectively to the challenges posed by the pandemic, Brexit and cost of living crisis.

He was also instrumental in bringing together Sysco’s fresh businesses Wild Harvest, M&J Seafood and Fresh Direct, helping customers to consolidate their deliveries, it added.

Sysco said that during the recruitment process, it was impressed by Pembroke’s business development strategy and customer-focused outlook.

“Our fresh business is one of the key pillars to Sysco’s future growth and success in this country and having Andy at the helm of Fresh Direct is the perfect fit to lead the company in the next stage of its development,” said Sysco GB CEO Peter Jackson.

“Fresh produce, meat and fish are integral to our customers’ menus and Andy has a very clear vision for how we can add value to that process.”

Pembroke said: “Sysco’s fresh businesses have adapted brilliantly through the pandemic and are now leading the way through the new challenges that the foodservice sector is facing.

“Moving forward, we will look to continue that journey, focusing on the customer at every stage in the supply chain, working with selected partnership suppliers who support us to deliver quality, fresh products from Britain and beyond, and leveraging the scale of Sysco GB infrastructure to offer our customers a unique fresh proposition.”

Sysco said Farnworth had been working with Pembroke on a transition plan.