UK dairy co-op First Milk has named the head of its cheese business Kate Allum as its new chief executive.

Allum, who joined First Milk last year from McDonald’s, succeeds Peter Humphreys, who resigned in December amid criticism from suppliers over milk prices.

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First Milk chairman Bill Mustoe, who had also held the chief executive role on a temporary basis since Humphreys’ departure, said “the time is now right for me to concentrate on strategy and First Milk’s position in the marketplace”.

Mustoe added: “I will hand over chief executive responsibilities to Kate who has demonstrated a clear ability to drive change in First Milk while motivating people to deliver challenging goals.”

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