Cherrytree Bakery appoints first finance director

Cherrytree Bakery has promoted John Meadowcroft from financial controller to the newly-created role of financial director.

John joined the Burnley company almost five years ago, bringing experience in the manufacturing and online retail sectors.

The move is designed to strengthen the company’s operational, financial and sustainable growth making the expanding business ‘fit for the future’.

It follows the bakery's expansion into a state-of-the-art, 12,000 sq ft production facility. The increased capacity will allow Cherrytree to expand its tray-back offer, meet additional demand and strike deals in new markets.

John said: "I’m delighted to take on the newly-created role at an exciting time in the development of Cherrytree. As the business’s turnover has doubled in the time I have been here, with big plans to further increase production, it was felt the time was right for the appointment of a financial director.

“My new role will be more strategic. Following the purchase of the building next door, which will add extra lines and shifts to the operation, I will also be part of a team looking at environmental issues such as carbon emissions.

“We will be reviewing our vehicles, making more of our waste as recyclable as possible, and increasing our use of solar energy.”

Mark Beaumont, managing director, added: “John’s impeccable work ethic and the information he provides will fully complement the future expansion of Cherrytree.

“While we are still a family business we needed to review the organisational structure to make us fit for the future.”