£518m-turnover Wirral bakery products firm Baker & Baker announces new chief executive to replace John Lindsay who is retiring. Tony McDonough reports

Wirral bakery giant Baker & Baker has appointed Matthew Acheson as its new group chief executive, succeeding John Lindsay in the role.

Matthew Acheson, who has served as chief financial officer of the Bromborough-based business and the previous CSM Bakery Solutions business since 2017, was officially appointed as the new CEO of Baker & Baker from January 1.

John, who has served as chief executive of Baker & Baker and the previous CSM business since 2016, has stepped down and moved into a strategic advisory role until May 1, when he will formally retire. Thereafter he will take up a non-executive director position with the company.

Baker & Baker employs around 700 people at its headquarters and main manufacturing base in Bromborough in Wirral. Until April 2021 it was a division of US-based CSM Ingredients but now operates as an independent business. 

It employs a total of 2,500 people at 12 European sites including Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, France, Germany and Belgium. It generates annual sales of more than £500m.

In 2022, Matthew was named Finance Director of the Year of a large business at the Finance Director of the Year awards, covering Liverpool, North Wales and Wirral and West Cheshire.

He said: “I am extremely pleased to be entrusted with leading Baker & Baker, as we look to expand our presence and distribution in markets throughout Europe and further afield.

“2024 has been another robust year for the group, and we are excited about the opportunities to grow our business in collaboration with our key customers and partners.”

John Lindsay has held numerous management roles within the business since joining in 1987, and, following senior UK and European positions, he was appointed VP of Modern Trade Europe of CSM Bakery Solutions in 2014 before assuming the CEO position.

In particular, he has been pivotal in the establishment and development of the bakery products business since its early beginnings in the mid-90s.

Paul Jones has also succeeded Matthew Acheson as Baker & Baker’s group chief financial officer. He has served as UK finance director since 2021. He has also joined Baker & Baker’s senior leadership team, which comprises six individuals in total.

Marianne Kirkegaard, executive chairman of Baker & Baker, added: “On behalf of the board, I would like to congratulate Matthew on his appointment as CEO and express our confidence, trust and support in him to lead the company in its new endeavours.

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“Since the creation of the standalone bakery products business Baker & Baker in 2021, John and Matthew have worked tirelessly and effectively to drive growth, enter new markets and navigate a series of geopolitical and industry challenges.

“I would also like to pay tribute to John for his many years of impeccable service – and in particular his fantastic leadership of the business since 2016, including the transition, establishment and success of Baker & Baker as a new business entity.”