Pat O'Driscoll has stepped down from her role as chief executive officer of Northern Foods.

O'Driscoll, who joined Northern Foods in March 2004, has come under pressure in the past to step down following a number of profit warnings from the troubled food manufacturer.

In May she led a radical review of the company, selling off 40% of its business, including Fletchers Bakeries, Smiths Flour Mills, Park Cakes and Pork Farms and achieved higher than expected returns that totalled more than £200m.

She will be replaced by Stefan Barden, director of Northern Foods' chilled division. He joined Northern Foods in January 2006 and is a former managing director of Heinz UK and Ireland.

“Since arriving at Northern Foods three years ago, I have completed an extensive restructuring, including the sale of 40% of the business and the development of a high quality management team able to meet our customers' service standards,” said O'Driscoll.

“Today, Northern Foods is a simpler, more resilient and more competitive business and I believe it is the right time for me to move on.”