STORY: New chief executive for Federation of Bakers

The Federation of Bakers (FOB) has appointed Andrew Pyne (pictured) as its new chief executive, who took over from Gordon Polson from Tuesday 12 April. 

Pyne brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, following a career spanning more than two decades in the breakfast cereal industry at Nestlé Cereals (Cereal Partners Worldwide).

He held a range of UK and international communication roles and has a deep understanding of food manufacturers’ reputation issues, the health and nutrition arena and government policy, as well as European Public Affairs.

Before coming to the FOB, Pyne was actively involved in the breakfast cereal category’s UK and EU trade associations, forging influential links with policy makers, and was Chair of Communications in both. Andrew is well known in Food & Drink Federation circles, having successfully completed a variety of assignments over an 18-month period from 2020, including Corporate Affairs and Associations Management. 

“I am delighted to be joining the Federation of Bakers to support the plant bread bakery industry, who are critical to feeding the nation," says Pyne. 

"They have an outstanding reputation and resilience, having faced recent Covid challenges, and now issues of rising energy and wheat prices from the Ukraine conflict.

"My predecessor, Gordon Polson, has created a strong Federation, and goes into retirement after seventeen years, leaving large footprints. I now look forward to working with Mike Roberts and the FOB Board and supporting them to help make an environment in which the FOB and its members can continue to flourish and grow.”

Polson, who is retiring, adds: “I have been with FOB since 2005, and I have enjoyed every day. It’s been an odd couple of years to finish on. Any one of Brexit, Covid or Ukraine would have been enough - three in a row is unprecedented. 

“Thank you all for your support to me and FOB. I wish you all individually, your businesses and collectively, every success. The message of the value of bread as part of a healthy balanced diet must go on and I have no doubt that it will do, with the appointment of my successor.”


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