Genius Foods has appointed John Dunsmore as a non-executive director.

The former chief executive of Scottish & Newcastle, who stepped down as boss of Magners-maker C&C Group last December, joins the board of the gluten-free specialist this week.

Dunsmore has also taken a 5% stake in the Edinburgh-based business, which has its sights set on expanding its presence in both the UK and international markets.

“To fulfil Genius’ international potential we need directors of Dunsmore’s calibre and experience,” said chief executive Roz Cuschieri.

Dunsmore said he had “every confidence” that Genius would become a household name both in the UK and on an international basis.

The appointment comes just a few months after Genius announced that Sir Bill Gammell, the founder of Cairn Energy and an original investor in the food company, was joining as chairman.

Founded three years ago, the Genius portfolio consists of 22 gluten-free products.