April Preston

WORK HISTORY

SKILLS

ABOUT APRIL PRESTON

I am a senior executive and food expert with over 40 years experience in business leadership; strategic transformation; consumer insight & trend analysis; concept and product innovation; and design. I have achieved significant successes across the retail, manufacturing and restaurant industries, having held both leadership & operational roles in each field including positions within Marks & Spencer, Harrods, 2 Sisters Food Group & Boparan Holdings, Conran Group, and several independent businesses.I have been at Holland & Barrett since early 2022, building a global product & packaging team from scratch and leading the reinvention of our product range to be relevant to more markets around the world as we continue our brand transformation and international expansion. In that time I have led the launch of over own brand health and wellness products all supporting the brand ambition to support millions of people globally to have more quality years of life. Before that I led the transformation of Marks & Spencer food range, creating, directing and leading the world’s highest performing product development team to ensure the range had greater relevance for more people. This included the creation of 100’s of more everyday & family focussed products to support the Ocado partnership; delivering market leading ranges for specific diets including gluten free & plant based; & emphatically re-establishing M&S as the only place to go for events & special occasions with market leading innovation and thousands of product improvements. During my 3 year tenure the range was transformed with pace to react to changes in consumer behaviour and market challenges. Prior to this, I led the product & concept direction for the transformation of Harrods’ iconic food halls & restaurants as well as leading a cross functional team including 150 chefs, NPD, Food safety & technical, Ops managers & stewarding. My time at Harrods was preceded by a three year role as group director of innovation & insight for 2 Sisters Food Group, the countries largest food manufacturer and in addition to extensive work with Boparan Holdings Ltd; specifically supporting start up businesses. I joined 2SFG after spending 18 years with Marks & Spencer during which time I progressed from the role of product developer to Head of Product Development. Over this time I gained expertise & insight into every category within the food division. I began my career with management roles in several restaurants including a number within the Conran Group.