Epsom-based bakery equipment supplier EPP has appointed Steve Russell as the company’s area sales manager.

Russell, who has worked in the baking industry since he left school, will be responsible for looking after customers and developing the company’s business in the Midlands, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

He will join EPP from his role as an artisan bakery manager at Nicholas & Harris, part of Finsbury Food Group, producing speciality breads, rolls and buns for supermarkets and the foodservice sector.

Russell said he is looking forward to the challenges his new role will offer and working in partnership with bakers and food manufacturers.

After spending his early working life in a craft bakery, he set up Russell’s The Bakers in Tenerife with his father before moving back to the UK ten years ago to work in a supermarket in-store bakery.

Steve Merritt, managing director for EPP, said his experience and knowledge will be of enormous benefit to current and prospective customers.

“Our new colleague knows the industry inside out and has been recently involved in building a new artisan bakery,” Merritt said.

“His experience of sourcing bakery machinery from silos and mixers to bread and roll plant, ovens, packaging machinery and blast freezers will mean he will be a great asset to our sales team and help us to continue to grow our revenues to record levels.”