ABP Food Group (ABP) has announced the appointment of Bob Carnell as chief executive officer of its UK Division. He joins from Kerry Foods Consumer Brands Business in the UK and Ireland.  He is replacing Tom Kirwan, who will step down from this role in October 2019.

Carnell is currently managing director of Kerry Foods Consumer Brands business in the UK and Ireland.  During his 24-year career with Kerry Group, he has held various senior commercial and general management roles.  He managed the integration of Noon Products into Kerry Foods and played a central role in the successful development of Kerry Foods into a multi-channel business. He is a graduate of Loughborough University.

Commenting on the announcement, ABP Group chief executive, Frank Stephenson said: “On behalf of all our colleagues across ABP UK and the wider ABP Food Group, I would like to sincerely thank Tom for his outstanding contribution to the business over the past 37 years. Tom has been instrumental in growing and developing ABP’s business in the UK where it is now well positioned to deal with the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead.   I am also delighted to welcome Bob Carnell to the team and his considerable experience in the agri-business and consumer food sectors will be of significant benefit to ABP.”