Ingredients supplier Bako has appointed Bernard McAuley as its managing director, as the company aims to expand across the UK and Ireland bakery and foodservice markets.

Bako Group Ltd is a supplier to the baker and foodservice industries, offering a range of ingredients, finished goods and ancillary products.

McAuley joins from Pilgrim’s (JBS), where he led operations for the company’s Irish business following its acquisition of Kerry Foods in 2021.

He began his career with Michelin, spending a decade in engineering and production roles before moving into the food sector with Kerry Group in 2016.

Speaking on his appointment, McAuley said: “Bako, also known as Finlay’s Food, combines both manufacturing and wholesale, a model that really differentiates us within the sector. It enables us to deliver greater value to customers, from artisan bakeries to large-scale food producers. I’m looking forward to leveraging best practices from my previous roles to support quality, service, and growth across the business.”

He added: “Bako Group Ltd has achieved remarkable success in Great Britain. My goal is to build on that momentum, drive growth in Ireland, and strengthen our partnerships across the wider group.”

Bako CEO Mike Tully commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome Bernard to the leadership team. His extensive background in operations, transformation, and people development will be invaluable as Bako continues to evolve and grow.”