Food Manufacturing
The food manufacturing industry is one of the most fast-paced, innovative and evolving sectors. For producers and retailers alike, competition is fierce, and success relies upon employing the very best people. Huge opportunities exist for companies that can scale up quickly and capitalise on interest in their consumables, at home and overseas. The key is building talented teams from the top-down. This requires individuals who, collectively, will produce innovative, on-trend products, and secure highly sought-after retail listings. Separately, retailers selling manufactured food products face their own challenges. New mergers and alliances are intensifying pressure on margins and supply chain systems. The battle to balance bricks and mortar versus online sales also continues at pace.
At the very top of this dynamic sector, you’ll find our executive search team, supporting a diverse range of organisations through the challenges they face. At Eden we have a rich history of partnering with world-leading food businesses across the breadth of the industry from integrated food producers, private equity-backed, big brand, household names and leading retailers to those smaller trailblazing businesses, which are growing fast and taking over pockets of the food industry, both in the UK and Internationally. In all camps, our experience is invaluable. Collaborating long-term with businesses as they scale, integrate or acquire other companies allows us to remain a proactive partner; an objective supplier that can identify and present leadership talent that will match strategic objectives now – and in the future.
If you’re looking to appoint a new person to your leadership or management team or would like to find out more about the work we do for clients, please get in touch with Chris Morgan, David Macaulay or Morten Andresen for a confidential discussion.
Chris Morgan
Chris brings 20 years of experience in the Executive Search sector, specialising in helping leading organisations across the food manufacturing supply chain identify and secure senior leadership talent — from senior management to C-Suite — across both technical and commercial functions.
His career spans a diverse range of sectors, including food production, ingredients, food-tech, seafood and aquaculture. Chris has partnered with a wide variety of businesses, from innovative start-ups and family-owned enterprises to globally recognised multinational brands.
With extensive experience working across international markets, Chris understands the importance of a tailored approach that reflects the unique commercial and cultural nuances of each region. He is passionate about delivering a quality-led client experience that not only meets specific organisational needs but also adds valuable insight to inform critical decision-making.
Over the course of his career, Chris has worked for large PLC recruitment groups, boutique search firms and successfully founded and managed his own consultancy. This breadth of experience, combined with a strong global network and a genuine commitment to building lasting relationships with industry leaders led him to join Eden Search in September 2025.
David Macaulay
As Founder and Managing Director of Eden Search & Select, David has spent his career working with a diverse range of businesses in the food and farming sectors – supporting their strategy and helping them recruit and retain Directors and Senior Managers. During this time, he has developed a deep understanding of the industry and the skills and attributes required by businesses to deliver high performing board and executive teams. This experience and track record has made him a credible sounding board on succession planning for both his clients and industry peers. Results-driven, David’s personal values of industry insight and integrity have delivered numerous successful projects and established Eden Search & Select as the executive search partner of choice for leading companies in the fresh food, food and drink, food manufacturing and farming sectors. David’s industry experience is deep rooted, having grown up on the family farm in Essex, which he remains actively involved in.
Morten Andresen
After eleven years working as a fresh food recruitment specialist for MorePeople, Morten joined Eden in July 2023 as Director, Fresh Food. Morten started his career at the largest cut flower business in the UK before moving into a commercial role with a major fresh produce supplier. Realising he wanted to do more than just focus his work on one or two retailers, he embarked on a career in recruitment – a move that enabled him to work with and help as many people as possible.
During his time in recruitment, Morten has assisted people at all levels, helping them take the next step in their career. More recently he has focused his efforts on Senior and Executive appointments –making Eden the natural next step for his career progression.
Outside of work, Morten is a family man and his free time is most often spent with his wife and 2 children.
Case studies
Ivy Farm
They way we produce and consume food needs to change. Driven by contributing to a more sustainable future through innovation and science, Ivy Farm are a spin out from the University of Oxford with a mission of being able to provide meat products without the need for animal slaughter.
Denhay Farms Ltd.
With the planned retirement of their longstanding Managing Director, Denhay Farms Ltd. partnered with Eden Search to appoint a successor who will continue the business’ legacy.
Noble Foods
Noble Foods is a leading vertically integrated supplier of fresh food brands to major retailers and consumers with a clear purpose to better nourish people, animals, and planet.
Carr’s Flour Mills
Building on a decade’s long relationship, Eden was tasked to support the senior team in their search for a successor to the incumbent Procurement Director.
Ivy Farm
Ivy Farm, a pioneering cultivated meat company that emerged from Oxford University in 2019, standing at the forefront of the industry with its multi-series products, cutting-edge patented technology, and substantial funding for rapid global expansion
