UK-based Premier Foods has appointed Geoff Eaton as the chief operating officer and executive director to speed up transformation of the debt-laden company.
Geoff Eaton was formerly the CEO of former puddings maker Uniq. During his six-year stay at Uniq, he presided over the break-up and then the sale of the company to Greencore.
The latest appointment indicates that restructuring figures on top of the Premier Foods' agenda.
Eaton, who left Uniq after it was taken over by Greencore, will replace Tim Kelly, who left Premier Foods following a management reshuffle last October.
Meanwhile, the debt-laden company plans to split its bread unit from the grocery division as bread has proved a tough business.
Premier Foods has been struggling with a debt of £1.3bn, which was built up through acquisitions of several brands including Homepride and Fray Bentos.
To lower its debt, the UK company announced in October 2011 that it would focus on eight 'power brands' that comprise Hovis, Mr Kipling, Ambrosia, Sharwoods, Oxo, Loyd Grossman, Bisto and Batchelors, and divest select businesses.
In March 2012, the company renegotiated its bank debt, and received an extension for its repayment deadline from 2013 to 2016.
