UK manufacturer Samworth Brothers has appointed Steve Murrells, the former head of Hilton Food Group, as its next CEO.
Murrells will take over from Simon Wookey, who will step down in June to pursue “a number of other projects”, the privately-owned group said yesterday (27 October).
The former Hilton chief is due to join Samworth Brothers in January and will work alongside Wookey during the handover to support a “smooth transition”.
Wookey joined Samworth Brothers in 2019 as a group executive board director before becoming chief commercial officer. He was appointed CEO in 2024, succeeding Hugo Mahoney.
His career spans 20 years at Dublin-based food-to-go company Greencore, as well as roles at Canada’s Maple Leaf Foods and the UK poultry supplier 2 Sisters Food Group.
Murrells took the reins of UK-headquartered private-label supplier Hilton in July 2023, when he replaced Philip Heffer, until departing in November last year.
Before Hilton, he led retail major The Co-operative Group and Danish Crown-owned meat giant Tulip, having begun his career at Tesco.
Mark Samworth, the chairman of Samworth Brothers, said: “Simon has played a leading role in our industry for nearly 40 years and has led a number of important food businesses to great effect. He has exemplified the strong values and integrity that are vital to maintaining the trust of those who buy our food.
“We are delighted that Steve is joining us as CEO. His experience across the food and retail sectors is second to none and the board and I look forward to working with him as he takes this great business through the next phase of its growth.”
Family-owned Samworth Brothers produces chilled and ambient foods, generating an annual turnover of £1.6bn ($2.1bn).
It employs more than 12,500 people in the UK and Ireland, supplying supermarkets, convenience stores, hospitality and travel outlets.
The company’s brand portfolio includes Ginsters, Higgidy, and Dickinson & Morris.
In August, it agreed to sell Walkers Deli & Sausage Company to Pilgrim’s Europe, which is part of the US-based poultry business Pilgrim's Pride owned by Brazil meat giant JBS.
The transaction was valued at approximately £141.5m on a “debt-free, cash-free basis”, subject to adjustments.
At the time, Wookey said the disposal would allow Samworth Brothers to focus its investments on “significant growth opportunities” across food-to-go, savoury pastry, and meals.
