Allum rises to top of Milk

Allum joined First Milk from McDonald's in 2009, initially as group operations director and latterly she has been executive director for cheese.

First Milk's chairman, Bill Mustoe, commented: "Over the last few months I have covered the chairman and chief executive roles, which has enabled me to get a strong understanding of the business.

"However, the time is now right for me to concentrate on strategy and First Milk's position in the marketplace.

"Therefore I will hand over chief executive responsibilities to Kate, who has demonstrated a clear ability to drive change in First Milk, while motivating people to deliver challenging goals.

"Achieving sustained progress for First Milk involves putting in place a number of changes that will help us to increase the returns we can pay to members. This appointment is part of these changes."