Berry Gardens Ltd, the UK’s leading berry and stone fruit production and marketing group, has appointed Nick Allen as permanent Chief Executive Officer.
Allen had been the company’s Chief Operating Offcer before being named acting CEO in autumn 2019. As COO, he led the planning and completion of Berry Gardens’ new state-of-the-art, multi-million-pound packhouse and head office located just outside Maidstone, Kent, which he continues to oversee.
“We are delighted Nick has accepted the role of permanent CEO,” Berry Gardens’ Chairman Alastair Brooks said. “Nick’s unrivalled experience, combined with his work over the last six months at the forefront of positive change within the business meant that he was the grower board’s unanimous choice for the role.
“Nick’s energy and natural ability to bring people together means an exciting new chapter in the story of Berry Gardens Ltd and our growers.”
Allen is excited to lead the next chapter at Berry Gardens.
“After 15 years with Berry Gardens Ltd, I am thrilled to take on this role and use my leadership, commercial experience and unique understanding of the business and our grower co-operative direct-to-customer model,” Allen says. “This year marks the start of a new phase of growth for the business.
“This is as exciting a time as I can remember in our business as more people than ever seek out premium, healthy foods and our berries can play an important role in the national diet.”
Berry Gardens specialises only in berries and cherries and is driving innovation throughout the industry. It has an exclusive partnership with Driscoll’s that allows the provision of market-leading varieties, direct from grower to retailer. Berry Gardens also work with like-minded growers to support the winter import season ensuring continuous supply of top-quality berries 52 weeks a year.
