Hilton Food shakes up management to focus on 'high-growth regions'

(Sharecast News) - Hilton Food Group has announced a boardroom shakeup as it continues to refocus operations on "high-growth regions" amid an ongoing challenging trading environment.

Non-executive director Samy Zekhout has stepped down from the board to take up a newly created senior leadership role as chief operating officer for the West region of the business, overseeing operations in the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal. He will also take on the Canada region some time in the future.

Melanie Chambers, currently the head of Hilton's APAC region, has been appointed as COO for the East division, looking after operations in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Poland and Saudi Arabia.

Non-exec Angus Porter, who had planned to step down at the company's AGM this year, has agreed to remain on the board "to ensure on-going stability and continuity to help support these changes".

The company also announced changes to its audit committee chair position, and has appointed a new director of investor relations.

The shakeup come just two months after CEO Steve Murrells stepped down from his position after two years, with non-exec chair Mark Allan appointed as executive chair to lead the company as it searches for a replacement.

At the time of Murrells' immediate departure, Hilton said current trading "remains challenging" though the company continued to be in a strong financial position.

Commenting on the latest boardroom shift, Allen said: "These changes strengthen our leadership across both established and high-growth regions while maintaining board continuity."

He added: "These organisational changes, alongside broader internal initiatives, position the group well to deliver its strategic objectives, which we look forward to sharing with you in due course."

A full-year trading update from the company is expected to be published on 29 January.

Shares were down 1.5% at 487p by 1045 GMT.