Mark Escolme has joined UK premium desserts manufacturer Gu as MD, just two months after leaving frozen-food firm Findus Group for “personal reasons”.

Escolme, who spent a year as managing director of Findus, left in October to spend “more time with his young family”.

He started his role with Gu earlier this month, replacing Mike Hodgson who has been with the company since 2006.

South African born Escolme has also worked for frozen-food firm Young’s, and began his career as a marketing sales graduate for Winaolot and Bonio maker Spillers.

Noble Foods, the UK’s largest egg producer, earlier this year bought a majority stake in Gu, which was founded seven years ago.