Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Valeo Foods brings in 2 Sisters CEO Ronald Kers as new chief executive

Valeo Foods brings in 2 Sisters CEO Ronald Kers as new chief executive
Ronald Kers

Valeo Foods Group has on Monday announced the appointment of 2 Sisters Food Group chief Ronald Kers as its new group chief executive.

Kers succeeds Seamus Kearney following his decision to step back from a day-to-day leadership role within the business. Kers will take up his new role in the Summer.


2 Sisters, a subsidiary of Boparan Holdings Limited, said Kers has a notice period of six months and will remain with the business to ensure a smooth handover.

Kers has led a significant business transformation at 2 Sisters during the past five years as chief executive. He previously served as the UK chief of dairy major Muller Group, before taking up the role of group chief executive.

“In his time at both groups Ronald has developed a uniquely broad set of capabilities that span category, geography, and a deep operational skillset, which position him incredibly well to drive the next stage of Valeo Foods’ evolution,” said Nigel Walder of Bain Capital.

Kers said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Valeo Foods, and look forward to partnering with the team to help realize the ambition of building a scale and growing platform of multi-national food brands.”

Seamus Kearney has been the chief executive of Valeo Foods for more than 11 years, overseeing a period of exceptional growth and expansion of the group, including leading 18 acquisitions and transforming the Irish business into a true pan European leader in the food sector. The group's portfolio of leading food brands include Rowse, Kettle, Jacob’s, Batchelors, Barratt and Balconi, among others.

He will continue to serve the business as a member of the board of directors.

“Whilst my role is evolving in the business, I remain incredibly passionate and excited about the future for Valeo Foods and I look forward to supporting Ronald and the Bain Capital team in a different capacity and as a long-term committed shareholder,” Kearney said.

Boparan Holdings Limited said it has put in place a transitionary structure which will see its president Ranjit Singh Boparan managing the UK Poultry and Ready Meal businesses and chief financial officer Craig Tomkinson taking responsibility for all group functions, while the EUP Poultry and UK/ROI Pastry operations continuing to report into Kers.

All three will report directly to non-executive chairman Richard Pennycook, as the board uses this opportunity ‘to review the leadership and structure of the group’.

Richard Pennycook said: “The business remains focused and in good shape following the challenges of Covid, Brexit and continuing inflationary pressures. We are well placed to handle a smooth succession process in light of Ronald’s departure later this year.

“I would like to thank Ronald for his commitment over the past five years. He came here with a clear vision of what 2 Sisters should look like and how it should be run, and he has played a pivotal role in moving the business forward in the right direction. On behalf of the board, we wish him all the very best.”

More for you

Jisp to launch ‘Jispmas’ promotional campaign

Jisp to launch ‘Jispmas’ promotional campaign

The retail technology company Jisp is set to launch its “Jispmas” seasonal campaign to drive additional sales for its brand and retailer partners, and special savings on a range of products for its shoppers.

Jisp introduced its Jispmas campaign two years ago and it proved a huge success for retailers, creating added opportunities for engagement and incremental sales. The campaign has grown in success each year since launch.

Keep ReadingShow less
Volumatic employees ‘Wear It Pink’ to support Breast Cancer Now

Volumatic employees ‘Wear It Pink’ to support Breast Cancer Now, with Mandy House positioned second from right

Volumatic employees ‘Wear It Pink’ to support Breast Cancer Now

Employees from cash handling experts Volumatic have taken part in a special "Wear It Pink" day to raise money for cancer charity, Breast Cancer Now.

Around 40 staff members based at Volumatic’s Head Office in Coventry donned something pink – from socks, scarves and wigs to full head-to-toe outfits in pink, to raise funds for a charity very close to their hearts.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre
Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre

'Devastating and out of touch' – indies react to Budget bombshell

Following the initial response condemning the Budget as 'the most damaging for independent retailers in recent memory' from the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), members have shared their stark reactions to the triple burden of doubled business rates, increased National Insurance, and higher minimum wage costs.

Multiple retailers have calculated specific impacts on their businesses, with costs ranging from £90,000 to £150,000 per year.

"This budget was horrendous for us as a company. Estimated costs to be around £110,000 - £120,000 per year," said Andrew Massey of Masseys DIY in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

Keep ReadingShow less
Brocks at Rockwell Green store

Brocks at Rockwell Green store

Christie & Co

'Popular' Somerset store on the market as long-term owners retire


Brocks at Rockwell Green, a Premier-branded convenience store near Wellington, Somerset is on the market as owners Simon and Rachel Brock are now looking to retire - after running the store for nearly 25 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds announced as new co-owners of Wrexham Lager

Wrexham Lager Beer Co Ltd, the oldest lager brewery still existing in Britain that has been brewing in Wales since 1882, has announced Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as new co-owners of the company alongside the Roberts family.

The acquisition was made by Red Dragon Ventures, a joint venture formed by The R.R. McReynolds Company, majority owner of Wrexham AFC, and the Allyn family of Skaneateles, New York. Red Dragon Ventures was created to drive growth in the Wrexham community and Wrexham AFC.

Keep ReadingShow less