Former Asda CEO is new chairman at Finnebrogue Artisan

Former Asda CEO is new chairman at Finnebrogue Artisan

26 October 2022

DOWNPATRICK’S award-winning Finnebrogue Artisan has appointed a new chairman.

Former Asda chief executive Roger Burnley has been appointed to the post which the company says “marks the beginning of a new chapter” for the leading UK food producer, whose founder Denis Lynn died in the spring of 2021.

Mr Burnley — a  veteran of UK grocery — takes up his position as non-executive chairman at the start of next month

After ten years as an executive director at Sainsbury’s, Burnley joined Asda as chief operating officer and deputy chief executive in 2016, before becoming chief executive a year later.

He left Asda in August last year after four years at the helm, while in this year’s New Year Honours he was awarded a CBE for services to the food supply chain.

Mrs Christine Lynn, wife of Finnebrogue founder and the company’s majority shareholder, said she was delighted to welcome Roger to the Finnebrogue family. 

“Roger shares our passion for making food the best it can be, without being bound by the way it has always been done,” she said.

“He brings with him the immense experience of over 30 years in British retailing, including four years leading one of the UK’s biggest supermarkets during the most challenging period for grocery in recent memory. 

“He will be a great asset to our team as we seek to fulfil our ‘Finnebrogue 2030’ vision for food that doesn’t cost the Earth.”

Mrs Lynn also extended her “huge gratitude” to all Finnebrogue staff and board members who have steered the company through a period of transition, in particular, the late David Manning and, more recently, Colin Walsh, for stepping into the chairman’s seat in an interim capacity.

“Finnebrogue is not just a family of sausage makers, bacon producers or plant-based manufacturers,” Mrs Lynn continued.

“We are a group of foodies on a mission to do things better for people and planet, and an organisation for which commercial success and delivering positive change in our society are equal priorities.”

She added: “I know these are values that Roger shares and I look forward to seeing him and the team build upon the brilliant foundations my husband Denis has left us.”

Mr Burnley said he is “delighted” to be joining Finnebrogue, a business which he has long admired from afar, with a passionate and talented team and a clear mission to deliver the ‘Finnebrogue 2030’ vision for the future of food, which has captured my imagination.

He added: “Finnebrogue’s outstanding growth, constant innovation and reputation for unrivalled product quality is famous within the UK food community. I’m looking forward to working closely with the team to deliver long term and sustainable growth.”

Finnebrogue managing director, Andrew Nethercott, added: “We are thrilled that Roger is coming on board. His experience and expertise will be of huge value as we continue on our growth trajectory and look to seize the many opportunities that lie before us.”