PRESS RELEASE
Grace Foods UK – leading Caribbean food and drink supplier – appoints new Managing Director
4 July 2022
Grace Foods UK, the leading supplier of Caribbean food and drink products to the UK, has appointed a new Managing Director, by promoting Brian Mitchell in the year its parent company, Grace Kennedy, celebrates its centenary.
Brian moves from Grace Foods UK Ltd General Manager, to Grace Foods UK Ltd Managing Director, reporting into Andrea Coy, Head of Grace Foods International, effective from July 1, 2022. He will assume responsibility for the successful operations of Grace Foods UK Ltd.
Grace Foods UK, which saw its turnover hit more than £80m in the UK in 2021, is the name behind some of the most iconic brands from the Caribbean, including Grace Jerk Sauces, Grace snacks, Grace tropical drinks (including Tropical Rhythms, coconut water and aloe vera drinks), Encona range of hot sauces, Dunn's River seasonings and sauces, Nurishment nutritionally enriched milk drinks, and new Caribbean street food range Irie Eats, which has been launched in response to a growing demand for authentic Caribbean street food.
All the Grace Foods products are available in UK supermarket giants as well as world food convenience stores across the country.
Andrea Coy, Head of Grace Foods International, said of the appointment: "I am delighted to announce this appointment and wish to congratulate Brian on his new role. Brian has gained extensive experience in the Grace group over the past 18 years across a range of Finance and Operations roles and was promoted to the position of General Manager on June 1, 2021, as part of the succession planning process to prepare him for this position of Managing Director. I know that he will provide strong strategic leadership, management, and direction to the business. "
Brian Mitchell joined the Group in April 2004 as Credit & Collection Officer and has worked in senior positions in Finance for Grace Kennedy before being seconded to Grace Foods UK as Chief Financial Officer in April 2016.
His portfolio was subsequently expanded to include Operations Director with responsibility for the Supply Chain Unit (SCU), Distribution Centre (DC), Corwen Factory and IT teams.
Brian is a Chartered Accountant who holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Degree in Accounting (Honours) and a Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Accounting.
He has successfully completed the GK Senior Leadership Development Programme and serves as a Director on the Grace Foods UK Limited Board. A Prosci certified Change Management Practitioner, Brian was integral in the successful implementation of SAP in the UK.
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The new website for Grace Foods is gk-100.gracefoods.co.uk
About Grace Foods UK
· Grace Foods UK is the UK's leading supplier of authentic Caribbean food and drink.
· As a member of the global Grace Kennedy Group, headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica, Grace Foods UK is guided by a strong global company with significant expertise and passion for developing iconic and innovative Caribbean products.
· Grace Kennedy is a $1bn corporation, based in Kingston, Jamaica and is one of the Caribbean's most dynamic businesses. GraceKennedy's global food operation, GK Foods, spans food processing, manufacturing and distribution across the Caribbean, USA, Canada, UK and Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Grace Kennedy was founded on 14 February 1922.
· Grace Food's brands and products are national favourites and have been at the forefront of Caribbean food worldwide for 100 years, including market-leading brands Nurishment (nutritionally enriched milk drinks), Encona Sauce (hot pepper sauces), Grace, Dunn's River and Caribbean Choice (Caribbean beverages and general grocery ranges) and exciting new mainstream Caribbean street-food brand, Irie Eats.