M&S’s Katharine Haenelt to join meat supplier OSI Group as UK MD

M&S fresh trading director Katharine Haenelt has joined international meat giant OSI Group as its new UK MD.

OSI Group supplies protein items and other food products to foodservice and retail brands including McDonald’s.

It said Haenelt would be responsible for creating and executing comprehensive business plans and strategies that aimed to continue the growth trajectory and customer diversification of OSI’s international division. Beginning her role in early 2023, she will also oversee all OSI UK facilities.

Haenelt has spent just over four years at M&S and has been trading director for fresh since April 2021. During that time she held full P&L responsibility for the £5.6bn turnover division.

Before M&S, she sat on the operating board at ABP UK as sales and marketing director, responsible for commercial, category, and new product development.

“We are very pleased to welcome Katharine,” said Mark Richardson, senior executive VP, OSI international division. “Katharine’s knowledge and experience across both food manufacturing and food retail will be of great benefit as we look to accelerate the development of the UK business and our wider international division.”

Haenelt said: “I am looking forward to taking up my new role at OSI. The company is forward-thinking, has a strong growth strategy, and I am excited to be joining the OSI family.”