Food manufacturer The Compleat Food Group has announced Nick Reade as its first UK managing director, a newly created role that will report directly to CEO Nick Field.

Reade joins The Compleat Food Group following 11 years at Mars, where he was most recently GM for UK and Ireland, having started his career with roles at GSK and PepsiCo.

Moving into the UK food sector, Reade will now be responsible for shaping and delivering The Compleat Food Group’s commercial strategy and bringing together its customer, category, product, marketing and outsourced functions.

The Group is home to brands including Wall’s Pastry, Pork Farms, Wrights, unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean and Palace Culture.

It has also recently completed a number of high-profile acquisitions, which include the Real Yorkshire Pudding Co, Freshpak, SK Foods and Zorba Foods, and the speciality food producer and distributer Harvey & Brockless. Most recently, it has completed the addition of Greencore’s sauces and soups business in Bristol, following approval from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Commenting on his appointment Nick Reade, managing director of The Compleat Food Group, said: “The growth of The Compleat Food Group since its inception in 2021 has been fantastic to observe and the opportunity to be part of its continued success was hugely appealing.

“With its exciting brands and category-leading capabilities, alongside its Food to Feel Good ethos, this is a business that really embraces a modern entrepreneurial spirit with genuine heart and purpose. I’m looking forward to getting around the business and our customers to continue to innovate, drive standards and create delicious, tasty food.”

Nick Field, CEO of The Compleat Food Group, stated: “We’re delighted to welcome Nick to the Group. He brings deep experience in UK FMCG, a track record of driving commercial performance, and a leadership style focused on clarity, accountability and empowering teams to do their best work.

“The creation of this role and Nick’s appointment completes a new enhanced leadership structure for the group which will support in driving the next phase of our journey, building on our commitment to deliver great tasting products, sustained category growth and delighting our customers and consumers alike.”