Lee Birmingham

Lee Birmingham

Pukka Pies has named Lee Birmingham as the new head of its foodservice operation – which accounts for 50% of the brand’s £45m revenue.

Birmingham arrives at the Leicestershire supplier with an array of experience across foodservice, convenience, B2B and sales.

He began his career in food and drink in 1993 as a business development executive at DBC Foodservice. He moved six years later to Cadbury, starting as a regional account manager before rising to the position of sector manager – hot beverage & leisure.

Following Cadbury’s shift to Mondelez, Birmingham eventually achieved the title of national field manager/controller – away from home, before joining Symington’s in 2016 as business unit controller for convenience & foodservice. He left the company a year later for Leeds wholesaler Morris & Son, where he spent 12 months until his move to Pukka Pies.

In his new job, Birmingham will help drive Pukka’s ambitious three-year growth strategy, working with the leadership team and focusing on building and developing relationships with customers. He replaces Colin Heathfield, who left the family-owned business to explore new opportunities.

There was a huge opportunity to grow the Pukka brand within foodservice, Birmingham said. “As the market changes, we need to continue to lead that change by ensuring we have the right range in the right format for the right channels.”