BORDER Biscuits has hailed the recruitment of a series of senior food and drink executives from Cadbury, Tesco and Genius as it pursues “ambitious targets for growth”.

The hires, described by the firm as a “huge milestone”, come shortly after the Lanark-based biscuit maker hired Paul Parkins as its managing director.

Mark Chance has become sales director following a career with Purity Brewing, Cadbury and Tyrrells, new operations director Kevin Smithson joins from C&C Group, brewer of Tennent’s Lager, and Simon Stoten, formerly of Greene King and Tesco, has  been installed as finance director.

The other new hires include the arrival of Linda Brown as master biscuitier, and Lisa Mullen, who has more than 20 years as industry experience, as technical manager.

Mr Parkins said: “This is a huge milestone for us as one of the UK’s most loved biscuit brands. The high calibre of the new additions to our senior team, alongside the expertise and experience they bring, is absolutely indicative of Border Biscuits direction of travel.

“As a business, we have ambitious targets for growth which are supported by significant investment. We’re pleased to have further strengthened our senior team as we lay the solid foundations to build that growth.”