Hilton Food Group is uniting its seafood businesses across the North Sea, with the chief executive of a recent acquisition to head up the division.
Andre van der Padt, chief executive of Foppen, will become managing director of the Hilton Seafood entity, based in Grimsby.
The FTSE-listed red meat specialist bought the unified Seachill and Coldwater business in the town in 2017, adding the Dutch smoked salmon operation late last year in a £77 million deal.
Read more: Grimsby seafood firm bought out by European operator backed by Japanese giant
The appointment comes after a period of flux since Simon Smith’s departure, crossing the town to Young’s Seafood.
A spokesperson for Hilton Food Group said: “Foppen brings fantastic seafood expertise into the group, and we have taken the decision to combine the capabilities of our UK seafood business and Foppen.
“Bringing together these two businesses will further strengthen our position as we focus on building an industry-leading international seafood business.
“Andre van der Padt, current Foppen CEO, has been appointed managing director of the combined Hilton Seafood business.”
Foppen brings sales of £119.3 million to the £350 million UK business, where around 1,800 people are employed.
Andy Rutherford had initially taken the helm following Mr Smith’s move in 2019, but joined his former boss at Ross House within months, as chief financial officer.
Richard Robinson followed, with Jonathan Reed, who also headed up the Huntingdon operations, overseeing latterly.
His appointment comes as a major expansion to the South Humberside Industrial Estate site progresses, with a heavily automated coldstore forming a prominent addition to the plant that sits at the gateway to Grimsby.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited in February, and the appointment comes as a £1 million seafood exports package has launched in Westminster. It will be used to promote British products in new and existing overseas markets, forging ties with international buyers and employing specialists to boost the global presence and identify routes to consumers.
Fisheries Minister, Victoria Prentis, said: “We exported £1.6 billion worth of UK seafood in 2021 and we want this to increase. We are unlocking export opportunities in new markets around the world, and the £1 million we are announcing will help seafood businesses across the UK take advantage of them.”
