UK food manufacturer Premier Foods plc has appointed Ian Deste as group sales director.

Deste joins the company from Coca-Cola Enterprises, where he most recently served as vice president, sales and customer development. He will join Premier on 19 September and replaces Ian York who last week announced his intention to leave the company to pursue “exciting new opportunities”.

“I am delighted to be joining Premier Foods at such a key time as we aim to grow sales in a challenging consumer environment,” Deste said today (23 August). “I’m thoroughly looking forward to working with the team to help build its stable of great British brands.”

New Premier CEO Mike Clarke, who only formally joined the company last week, added: “Ian has an enviable track record in building strong, enduring customer relationships. This will be of enormous value to Premier Foods. I know Ian has the skills and the motivation needed to help drive our business forward.”