Grocery and finance veteran Graham Keniston-Cooper has joined Berry Gardens as non-executive director.
Joining the British soft fruit co-operative with board experience across retail, consumer and financial services, and a first class Master’s degree in mathematics from Trinity College, Cambridge, Keniston-Cooper brings considerable experience and myriad skills to Berry Gardens, which boasts sales of more than £200 million.
He said: “As the premier soft fruit supplier to the UK market, I look forward to working with Berry Gardens and helping them build on their market leadership with ongoing innovation and unrivalled expertise.
“Suppliers to major supermarkets face several challenges, in particular how our products can adapt and meet the ever-changing retail landscape with the continued growth of internet shopping and the more fragmented retail presence in our high streets with convenience store formats.'
Paul Kelsey, Berry Gardens chairman, added: “With Graham joining the board we now have three non-executive directors including Robin Walker and Elizabeth Wade. Their combined experience and insight will undoubtedly prove invaluable in driving our business forward and ultimately benefit our grower-owners.”
Prior to retiring from his last full-time role, Keniston-Cooper enjoyed a 30-year career, including serving as CEO of Lazard Private Equity Partners, head of Morgan Stanley Private Equity in Europe as well as being a founder partner of Cinven and head of business development for Kingfisher plc.