The new B&ES chief is Paul McLaughlin, a 45-year-old electronics and electrical engineering graduate who has spent most of his career in the food and drink industry.
He succeeds Roderick Pettigrew, who resigned in January after just 18 months in post. Mr Pettigrew’s predecessor, Blane Judd, managed just two years in the job before leaving in June 2013.
After the University of Glasgow, Mr McLaughlin began his career with international food group Mars, rising to be manufacturing manager at its confectionery production facility in Slough, Berkshire.
He went on to spend 12 years with Coca-Cola, with which he held senior positions in operations, innovation and quality assurance, before being appointed the company’s commercialisation director for northwest Europe.
In January 2008, he became chief executive officer of the newly established trade association Scotland Food and Drink for three years. Since 2011, he has been managing director of a specialist food business based in the west of Scotland. He has also been a member of a Scottish Enterprise regional advisory board and a trustee of a national charity.
B&ES president Jim Marner said that the Council of the Association had been impressed by Mr McLaughlin’s “strategic and operational ability, business know-how and stakeholder engagement”.
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