The Board of Hilton Food Group plc announced the following changes to the Board. Robert Watson OBE will become Executive Chairman with effect from 1 July 2018, and Non-Executive Chairman during 2020. Philip Heffer will be promoted to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from 1 July 2018.

Colin Smith OBE, current Chairman, will retire from the Board on 1 July 2018 and Angus Porter has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 July 2018. Following consultation with major shareholders, the Board has asked Robert to become Executive Chairman until 2020. In this Executive capacity, Robert will work to integrate the Australian business as well as focusing on new business development in new territories and new product categories.

Hilton announced on 26 February 2018 an agreement to restructure the Australian meat processing joint venture, take full operational control of the Bunbury and Truganina plants from 1 July 2018 and, following a two year transitional period, acquire the relevant plant assets. It is planned that on completion of this process in 2020, Robert will become Non-Executive Chairman of the company. Philp Heffer joined Hilton Food Group in 1994 when the business was founded and, in his current role of Chief Operating Officer, is responsible for all of Hilton's businesses with its major customers.

The Board believes that Philip has all the necessary skills to become CEO of the Group and was the unanimous choice. The Board is delighted that he has accepted the role. Colin Smith joined Hilton in 2010 as a Non-Executive Director and was appointed Chairman of the Board in 2016.

Colin will step down from the Board on 1 July 2018. Angus Porter has been appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director. Angus has extensive knowledge and experience in public companies and the food and retail sectors with an MA in natural sciences and PhD from the University of Cambridge.

He has held numerous executive and non-executive roles across a range of industry sectors including Mars, BT, Abbey National and WPP. Angus is currently Non-Executive Chairman at McColl's Retail Group plc and Co-Chairman of Direct Wines Ltd. and was formerly Chief Executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association until 2016, Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director of Punch Taverns plc until 2017 and Non-Executive Director of TDC A/S (Denmark) until 14 May 2018. He will join the Audit, Remuneration and Nominations Committees.

John Worby will continue as the Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Audit Committee and Christine Cross as Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee. Robert Watson will chair the Nominations Committee.