Premier Foods has hired former Unilever sales director Damian McLoughlin to head up its foodservice division.

McLoughlin has joined Premier as foodservice director after 17 years with Unilever. He replaces Simon Millard who is now UK sales director at IRI.

During his time with Unilever, McLoughlin held roles including channel director (UK) for food ingredients and own label, as well as chain accounts director responsible for driving ice cream brands Magnum and Cornetto into the quick-service restaurant channel.

“We are really delighted to have Damian on board to lead the future development of our strategy. We are confident he will continue to lead the foodservice division to success with a breath of new and fresh ideas, as well as expert industry knowledge and we can’t wait to see the vision develop as he settles into role,” said Gary Taylor, sales director at Premier Foods.

“I am looking forward to getting fully immersed into the Premier Foods business. It is the success and passion I have seen from the foodservice division, coupled with such innovative campaigns and leading brands that I have admired,” McLoughlin added. “As a priority, I am committed to exploring new ways to use data and insights to generate actionable solutions that meet the broader business needs of our chefs, caterers and operators.”

Premier’s foodservice team recently launched the fourth successive McDougalls Young Baking Team of the Year competition and the second stage of its award-winning Dysphagia Solutions Programme.