Global food producer Princes Group has announced that Simon Harrison will step down as chief executive officer and board director from 30th June 2026.

Princes confirmed that Harrison, who served the company for five years, with two of those as CEO, would be leaving Princes to “pursue a new opportunity”.

The Princes board has commenced a formal succession process to appoint a permanent CEO. In the meantime, Giuseppe Mastrolia, currently chief commercial officer and executive board director, has been appointed as interim chief executive officer with effect from 1st July 2026.

Mastrolia joined the group in July 2024 as a board director following the acquisition of Princes by NewPrinces and was appointed chief commercial officer last Autumn. Since becoming chief commercial officer, Mastrolia has been based at the group’s headquarters in Liverpool, with Princes stating that he has played an “important role” in the development and execution of the group’s commercial strategy. He also reportedly brings “significant executive leadership experience”, having served as chief executive officer of NewPrinces Group for the past nine years.

Angelo Mastrolia, chairman, said “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Simon for his contribution and leadership of the company through the integration of Princes and especially during the transition to a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange. We wish him well for the future.”

Simon Harrison, outgoing Princes Group CEO, said: “Princes is well positioned for the future and I look forward to seeing its continued success. It has been a privilege to lead a great British business during a period of exciting change and I would like to thank the chairman, the board and all of the Princes employees for their support.”