Sofina Foods has appointed Ash Amirahmadi as the CEO of its European operations.
Amirahmadi will join Sofina Foods, effective August 8. Presently, he serves as the managing director of Arla U.K., a position he has held since 2018.
Presently, Michael Latifi, founder, CEO and chairman of Sofina Foods has also been serving as CEO of Sofina Foods Europe.
“We are delighted to welcome Ash to the Sofina family. I am confident that Ash’s deep experience and reputation within the grocery and farming sectors will help us deliver ongoing success across our European operations and demonstrate our continued commitment to quality and innovation.
“Ash joins us at an important time for the industry. He will help Sofina Foods Europe lead the way in developing a more sustainable supply chain, capable of producing great-tasting, affordable and high-quality products for consumers and greatly contribute to our vision.”
Canada-based Sofina Foods is a major player in the poultry industry, with brands that include Lilydale, Cuddy Food Products and Janes Family Foods.
It entered the European market in 2021, when it acquired the Eight Fifty Food Group, a pork and seafood company. With that acquisition, Sofina Foods more than doubled in size, both in terms of plants it operates and people it employs.
Commenting on being hired by Sofina Foods, Amirahmadi said: “I am delighted to be joining Sofina Foods and relishing the opportunity to work with Michael Latifi and the Sofina Foods Europe team to build on their significant progress in transforming the business towards category leadership.
“Sofina Foods has a track record of working in partnership with its customers and suppliers, developing sustainable and resilient supply chains, investing in its people, adding value to categories, and long-term commitment to social responsibility across multiple stakeholders. My experience in the UK grocery sector mirrors these values and therefore I am honored to lead Sofina Foods Europe on the journey ahead. We are operating in a complex and challenging global market. I am humble and respectful of the task ahead and committed to playing my part, together with the Sofina family, to transform the food system.”
Meanwhile, Arla U.K., Britain’s largest dairy company, has named a successor for Amirahmadi. Bas Padberg, who has been vice president of Arla Foods Southeast Asia, will assume his new role at the beginning of 2024. In the interim, Peter Giortz-Carlsen will oversee Arla’s U.K. operations.
