UK food group Princes appointed Mike Easterbrook as its new managing director and chief executive commercial, as it "continues to strengthen and grow its position as one of Europe's largest grocery suppliers," the company said.

Easterbrook, who has been with Princes for more than 33 years, took up the post from July 1, 2015.

According the a company statement, he played an instrumental role on the group's board in developing an ongoing program of investment that has seen the firm expand internationally, growing its manufacturing capacity in the process.

Along