Maple Leaf Bakery UK, the company behind bagel brand New York Bagel Co, has appointed Franck Houssaye to the newly created role of new product development manager.

Houssaye, who is French, trained as a patissier and following graduation headed production for a biscuit factory in Normandy, France.

After a number of new product development roles at British Bakeries and Allied Bakeries in the UK, Houssaye returned to France to launch his own sandwich business.