Melanie Leech has been appointed the new director general of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
Leech was executive director of the Association of Police Authorities from 2001 to 2004 and served as a board director for the Office of the Rail Regulator.
She has also held senior positions in government departments, including the Cabinet Office, before moving to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as head of broadcasting policy.
FDF president Gavin Neath said Leech’s experience in policy development and
leadership of a large membership organisation, as well as her knowledge of UK and EU government, made her uniquely qualified to represent the industry at a time of great change both at home and abroad.
And Leech said: “I am proud to have been chosen to represent the interests of our food and drink manufacturers at such a challenging time. I look forward to working with government, the food chain and with all stakeholders.”
Leech will join the FDF on August 15, replacing Sylvia Jay, who leaves after nearly five years to take up a new appointment outside the food and drink sector. Neath said Jay had provided outstanding leadership for FDF during a period of unprecedented political and social focus on the industry.
Nestlé has promoted Stuart Irvine to the position of MD of Nestlé Purina Petcare UK and Ireland. He succeeds Paul Grimwood, who will become head of operations for Nestlé Zone Europe, based in Vevey, Switzerland. Irvine was group sales director for Nestlé UK and Ireland, which will be taken over by Vince Robinson, currently commercial director for Nestlé Rowntree.

Justin Adams will become MD of Greene King’s brewing division in September. He is currently MD for the UK and Ireland division of Maxxium, owners of The Famous Grouse and Absolut Vodka.

Martin Totty has become group commercial director at health and wellbeing company FirstAssist. He had been sales director at UBUK for two years, prior to which he had been with PepsiCo for 16 years, where he held a number of senior positions.
Beth Brooks
nestlé reshuffle
adams to be md
totty promoted