Burton’s Biscuit Company has appointed its first managing director of UK and Ireland. 

Ian Deste has joined the board, having previously held positions in FMCG multinational organisations. He was most recently group commercial director at Premier Foods and formerly vice-president of sales and marketing at Coca-Cola Enterprises GB.

Ben Clarke, chief executive, said: “Ian is a vital appointment to our business and will be responsible for providing the strategic leadership to our sales and marketing functions – building our portfolio of great brands whilst ensuring that Burton’s continues to exceed the expectations of all our customers in creating and sustaining overall category growth.

“Our industry is – as we are all aware – experiencing significant shopper-led change, unprecedented in modern times. When considering the effect of these changes on the Burton’s business, specifically in anticipating how our customers and consumers will expect us to respond to change, we felt it imperative to bring our entire commercial operations together under an experienced leader. With Ian’s appointment I believe we are clearly demonstrating our intent in this regard.”

Deste’s appointment follows the departure of Stuart Wilson, chief commercial officer UK and Ireland last month.

Burton’s manufactures Maryland cookies and Cadbury biscuits under licence.