Dairy Crest aims to save £5m through restructuring

The owner of Cathedral City cheese has announced plans to shake up its business structure in a move aimed at saving at least £5 million a year.

Dairy Crest, which also makes Country Life butter and Davidstow cheddar, said it would “consolidate its organisation into a single structure focused on consumer-driven growth with an integrated supply chain” from 1 April.

The firm also said that its director of finance control, Tom Atherton, will become finance director on 23 May. He replaces Alastair Murray, who is stepping down after almost ten years in the role “to pursue other business interests”.

In addition, Toby Brinsmead, managing director of the group’s dairies business, will leave in May after 15 years with the firm.

Chief executive Mark Allen said: “The reorganisation announced today is right for Dairy Crest. It reflects our focus on consumers and customers as we continue the progress we have made in simplifying the business and becoming more efficient.

“It will reduce our annual overhead costs by at least £5m.”

Dairy Crest also said it had retained its contract to supply milk to supermarket chain Sainsbury’s until 2017.