Paul Friston 2 Sisters

Source: Getty Images 

Friston joins the poultry giant after spending 28 years at M&S

Boparan Holdings has appointed ex-M&S executive Paul Friston as the new chief financial officer of 2 Sisters Food Group.

Chartered accountant Friston joins the poultry giant after a 28-year career with M&S, most recently as the chief commercial officer for M&S Food, a role he took on in 2022.

Prior to this, Friston was MD of M&S international from 2016 to 2022. He replaces Nigel Williams, who was appointed by 2 Sisters last April but had decided to return to Australia for family reasons.

Friston will join the 2 Sisters business in early February and become a member of the Boparan Holdings (BHL) board.

His “distinguished track record in financial and corporate leadership roles at M&S” in senior finance, strategy, commercial and transformation roles meant he had a “broad and extensive background”, BHL said.

“I am delighted to welcome Paul to 2 Sisters,” said BHL president Ranjit Singh Boparan.

“He joins at an extremely important time for the business and I look forward to working closely with him as we execute our ambitious sustainability and investment plans in the coming years which will shape our business for the next generation.”

2 Sisters was a “dynamic business”, Friston said. “I know it well and very much respect it as a food manufacturing leader in the UK, so I am extremely happy to be joining the team.”

There were “clearly many challenges for the food sector in such a competitive and cost-conscious environment”, he added.

“But the potential of a business as ambitious and significant as 2 Sisters is a truly exciting prospect. I look forward to playing my part in taking the company forward.”