First Milk is broadening the business experience of its Board with the appointment of Eric Sanderson as a new non-executive director.
Sanderson has a background in investment banking and has amassed experience at a senior level within several large companies. This experience has included Bank of Scotland Group, where he held a number of senior positions over more than 20 years including chief executive of group treasury operations. For many years Sanderson was chief executive of British Linen Bank, the investment banking part of the Bank of Scotland group. Sanderson's experience also encompasses Kwik-Fit Insurance Services Ltd where he was managing director and latterly executive chairman, and MyTravel Group plc where he was non-executive chairman.
In addition to his role at First Milk, Sanderson is also currently non-executive chairman of Marylebone Warwick Balfour Group Plc, a quoted company engaged in property, hotels and retail, and he is also a member of the Court of the University of Dundee.
Sanderson is the latest in a series of Board appointments that reinforce First Milk's commitment to bringing a breadth of business experience to bear on the forward-looking dairy business. He joins chairman, Richard Greenhalgh, former chairman of Unilever UK, and chief executive, Peter Humphreys, former managing director of a number of UK and international businesses including Eden Vale.
Richard Greenhalgh says of Sanderson's appointment: "This is an important time not just for First Milk but for the whole dairy industry and we are extremely fortunate to have the benefit of Eric's experience of complex business and finance issues."
Eric Sanderson says: "First Milk is an exciting company with a sound strategy, a strong balance sheet and ambitious yet achievable plans. I am looking forward to being part of it and contributing to its future success."
Sanderson replaces Andrew Young, who has served on the First Milk Board since 2002 and is also chairman of Arena Coventry Ltd, the company behind Coventry City Football Club's new stadium.
Greenhalgh says of Young: "Andrew's financial and business experience, together with his knowledge of agriculture meant he was uniquely placed to make a valuable contribution to First Milk over the past four years. We wish him every success for the future."
Eric Sanderson assumes his role as non-executive director of First Milk on 1st March 2006.
