HEADLINES THIS WEEK:

– SELLEY TAKES CHARGE AT BIDVEST 3663
– BRAKES’ CHRISTMAS PACKAGE
– FROZEN FOOD RESPONSIBILITY

SELLEY TAKES CHARGE AT BIDVEST 3663

Andrew Selley has taken over from Alex Fisher as chief executive of Bidvest 3663.

Selley has been with the wholesale group for 15 years, with responsibility for Bidvest logistics and automotive logistics in the UK and for developing the foodservice business in the Middle East, Turkey, the Baltics and Spain. In his new role, he will oversee both the Bidvest 3663 and Bidvest Logistics operations.

Andrew Selley

The company’s growth plans are now in the second phase, which includes a multi-million pound infrastructure investment programme, with four new depots and an update of the UK infrastructure and IT systems.

The four sites are thought to include the recently opened 91,000 sq ft multi-temp depot in Bicester, Oxon (Cash & Carry Management: March), which replaced discontinued units in Abingdon, Oxon, and Northampton. The company would not disclose at this stage where the other new sites will be.

Fisher, who left the company last month, spent 23 years with Booker Foodservice and then Bidvest 3663.

Said a Bidvest 3663 spokesman: “Throughout his time with us, Alex Fisher made a substantial contribution to our success, helping build it into a leading player in foodservice wholesale distribution. He left the company by mutual consent and with our best wishes for the future.”

Tel: Bidvest 3663 (0370) 3663 000.

BRAKES’ CHRISTMAS PACKAGE

Brakes’ Christmas plans include a batch of innovations, a ‘menu inspiration’ booklet, a product guide and help with costing and profitability.

There is also a ‘Countdown to Christmas’ planner, which, said head of marketing Petra Zargarani, “ensures caterers can plan a bespoke Christmas offer with confidence, enabling them to maximise profit during the busiest period of the year.

“Options to tailor menus to different price points, different occasions (including New Year’s Eve) and specific customers were seen as essential, as was menu inspiration and recipes to support this approach.”

Among the new lines are individually portioned smoked salmon & beetroot gravadlax terrine; port, cranberry & orange stuffing log; Peruvian scallops; smoked haddock parfait; hog roast pork, apple & sage paté; mushroom & nut bake with a gruyère fondue centre; mushroom, cranberry & spinach tart; beef Bourguignon; and ‘easy peel’ langoustine tails.

Desserts include Black Forest tart with kirsch, cherry frangipane tart and spiced apple tart.

Tel: Brakes Group (01233) 206000.

FROZEN FOOD RESPONSIBILITY

New Bestway Group category manager for frozen foods is Rachel Hartwell, who has joined from Musgrave Group.

Hartwell, whose responsibilities cover the retail, catering and foodservice sectors, reports to senior category Steve Carter. He commented: “I am extremely pleased with the way the fresh, chilled and frozen team is taking shape.

“We now have a dedicated professional looking after each side of the business, working with suppliers and depots to ensure our customers have the correct retail and catering ranges to expand their businesses.”

Tel: Bestway Group 020-8453 1234.