Yorkshire-based poultry processor Soanes Poultry has appointed a new managing director and restructured its board in a move is said would better align the business with family values and to ensure succession planning and continuity.
Soanes Poultry’s general manager Nigel Upson has joined the board as managing director and Claire Wright has been promoted from financial controller to finance director in the restructure. They join Andrew Soanes and his wife, Sarah and son, John, who is currently completing his studies at Harper Adams Agricultural College and will return to the family farming business later in the year.
Commenting on the changes, Andrew Soanes said: “Nigel has been successful in giving the business direction and a greater sense of purpose, positioning our local, rural business as a producer of great chicken with high ethical values in national markets.”
Nigel Upson said: “Claire has been a breath of fresh air. Not only has she delivered sound accounting and financial controls, but she has shown a clear determination to drive change and deliver improvement across the business.”
Internally, former sales co-ordinator Ben Lee has been promoted to head of sales and marketing and will lead the company’s new business development and marketing strategy. Nigel Upson, Claire Wright and Ben Lee are pictured, above
“Ben is a highly valued member of the team who has made a fantastic contribution to our business over the last 11 years. His promotion is very well deserved and I look forward to seeing him lead the team to great success,” said Upson.
