Young's parent company, the Findus Group, (formerly Foodvest) has appointed James Turton as Group Director of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs.

In his new role James will drive the group’s pioneering sustainability programme, setting both the agenda and a benchmark for the industry. These encompass a range of initiatives such as carbon reduction, ‘green’ packaging solutions, sustainable agriculture and the responsible sourcing of fish and ingredients. Ongoing development of the Group’s ‘Fish for Life’ approach - underpinned by its Ten Principles for Responsible Fish Procurement - will be a key priority.

James brings extensive experience of the food industry from roles within Findus Group and other major organisations. After graduating with a first class honours degree in business, he embarked on a highly successful career in the food industry undertaking a number of senior commercial roles within the United Biscuits group, the multi-million pound snack manufacturer.

After joining Young’s Seafood as Marketing Director in 2001, and later as a Business Unit Director, James assumed a senior role in innovation and seafood sourcing after Young’s and Findus came together in the same group in 2007.

Commenting on his appointment, James Turton said:

“I am delighted to take up my new role as it allows me to continue what has been a long term involvement in the implementation and ongoing development of industry leading sustainability standards within the Group."

“As a business with a market leading position in seafood through Young’s in the UK and Findus in Europe, we are committed to addressing the issues of sustainable fishing and actively contributing to long term solutions. Our ‘Fish for Life’ approach encompasses principles and procedures to deal with a key sustainability concern for our industry and we are proud of the recognition we have achieved for this to date. It’s a great foundation on which to build our wider sustainability agenda as we drive to reduce our impacts on a local, national and international level.”