FSA board 

John Spence has been named as a new board member for the Food Standards Agency in Wales. Spencer is currently chair of the Welsh Food Advisory Committee and prior to his retirement in 2003 worked for more than 36 years in local government at senior and strategic levels. 

Highland service 

North Highlands Products, supplier of Mey Selections, has appointed Tracy Waters business development manager. She has worked with foodservice companies in the south of England. 

Hynes remains 

Brendan Hynes, who was set to join cake manufacturer Inter Link Foods as finance director, has decided to remain in his current role at Nichols. Last month Hynes asked Inter Link Foods to defer his start date when Nichols announced it was in preliminary talks regarding a possible takeover. 

Plum Baby manager 

Vanessa O'Farrell has joined babyfood brand Plum Baby as senior brand manager. She joins from Manor Bakeries, part of RHM, where she was a senior brand manager responsible for seasonal activities across Mr Kipling, Cadbury and Lyons brands. 

Two for Yakult board 

French food group Danone's vice chairman and COO Jacques Vincent and vice president of research and development Sven Thormahlen have joined the board of Yakult. Danone now has four representatives on Yakult's board and has agreed to keep its stake in Yakult at 20.02% until 2012. 

Standing down 

Martin Rome is standing down as chairman of the National Dried Fruit Association. Rome has held the position for three years and is also trading director for dried fruit and bakery ingredient supplier Whitworths.