Speciality bakery company Aryzta has announced the addition of James Leighton as an independent non-executive director to the board. This latest appointment comes a week after Kevin Toland was unveiled as Aryzta’s new chief executive.

Leighton brings with him over 30 years of experience in the international food and retail sector, having held a number of senior roles with some of the largest food companies in the North America.

Leighton served as president of Perdue Foods, one of the largest chicken processors in the US, from 2009 to 2013. Prior to that, Leighton held the position of senior vice-president of operations for ConAgra Foods, which is one of the largest publicly traded food companies in the US.

Aryzta chair Gary McGann said Leighton’s appointment helped diversify the skills and experience of the board of Aryzta.

“Jim has substantial North American business experience at the key interface between supplier, retailer and consumer and will provide valuable support to the board and, by extension, the management team,” added McGann.

Aryzta said it will make a similar announcement regarding the appointment of a non-executive director to the board with experience in the European food industry in due course.

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Aryzta appoints former president of Perdue Foods as non-executive director

James Leighton served as president of Perdue Foods, one of the largest chicken processors in the US, from 2009 to 2013.