The Vegan Food Group has strengthened its board with the creation of a new UK managing director role and the appointment of a new CFO.
UK commercial director Richard Coggon has been promoted to MD. He will assume responsibility for the UK brands and operations, which include VFC, Meatless Farm and Clive’s Purely Plants, alongside own label contracts.
Prior to VFG, Coggon spent more than a decade at Morrisons as a buyer before switching over to the supply side with sales roles at challenger brands in beer and confectionery.
“I am excited and honoured to be leading the UK division of VFG,” he said. “There are numerous exciting opportunities ahead, and we will be placing a greater emphasis on these prospects. Our focus will be on aligning the entire team, ensuring we work cohesively towards achieving our shared goals for our business, customers and ultimately consumers.”
VFG also welcomed Phil Eden as CFO following the departure of Daniel Hardesty, who has taken up a new role externally.
The appointment is expected to help with the ongoing integration across VFG’s UK and German businesses, while supporting the corporate agenda alongside CEO Dave Sparrow and the wider board.
Eden previously worked for the likes of Haribo, Delicious Alchemy, New York Bakery, Lee Stafford and B.Tan.
“I am thrilled to join The Vegan Food Group at this time,” he said. “I believe the business is well placed to make an impact within the market, and to provide consumers with a range of fantastic vegan options.”
VFG also recruited Monique Monelle as head of corporate development to support the M&A agenda at the group. She has previously spent time in senior advisory roles with PwC and RSM, where she provided strategic guidance to companies undergoing transformation and expansion.
CEO Sparrow acknowledged the market for plant-based businesses had “faced challenging conditions over the past 24 months”, but he added he remained “positive and excited” about the strategy and plans in place at VFG for the coming years.
Veganuary co-founder Matthew Glover and partner Adam Lyons created VFC Foods in 2020 as a vegan version of KFC. The group has since expanded into further sub-categories of plant-based thanks to the acquisitions of Meatless Farm and Clive’s Purely Plants.
In 2024, the group struck its biggest deal to date to acquire German organic alt-meat producer TofuTown, creating a major player in the European plant-based market.
No comments yet