BULMERS, the international drinks company based in Hereford, has announced the appointment of John Steels as Group Supply Director, responsible for production, distribution, purchasing and technical operations at all Bulmers plants world-wide.

He succeeds Ian Kirkhope who is retiring.

John Steels, aged 46, held senior management posts with Unilever, in UK, America and The Netherlands, and before joining Bulmers, was general manager of the Birds Eye frozen foods factory in East Anglia.

A native of Newcastle-on-Tyne, he graduated in engineering science from Exeter University, and is a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He and his wife have three sons.