Ian Stone appointed as the new Chief Executive Designate of apetito UK

A leading meals producer to the healthcare, care home, education and social care sectors, has appointed a chief executive designate. Apetito UK, which also delivers food to consumers in their own homes through its Wiltshire Farm Foods retail brand, has announced that Ian Stone will replace Paul Freeston, who has led apetito in the UK for the past 25 years, and who steps down at the end of 2024.

Since joining apetito in 2003, Stone has undertaken a wide range of roles within the business, culminating in his appointment as UK Chief Commercial Officer where he has been responsible for the development of apetito’s business-to-business divisions as well as Wiltshire Farm Foods.

He has an outstanding reputation as a leader who develops and supports his people, helping them to achieve their very best.

 Commenting on his new appointment, Stone says: “Taking on the role of CEO is a tremendous honour, especially at a time when our services are more vital than ever, and I’m looking forward to building on the immense legacy that Paul leaves us with, and which he has built so successfully over the past 25 years.

“I’m committed to developing our business further in the UK by ensuring that we continue to innovate and provide nutritious meals and services that make a real difference in the lives of those we serve - including some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“I am excited by the future and the opportunity that exists for our meals, our services and our fantastic team”.

A right royal win

This announcement coincides with the news that apetito has been presented with the prestigious King’s Awards for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, by Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Lt. General Sir Andrew Gregory KBE, CB, DL.

The Award sees the company’s fourth Royal honour, having previously won three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise (two for Innovation in 2005 and 2016, and one in 2019 for Sustainable Development).  This latest honour recognises apetito’s commitment to conducting business in a way that impacts positively on the environment, society and economy. It celebrates the company’s outstanding dedication to sustainability, its pledge to reach Net Zero by 2040, and the work it has taken in delivering actions to meet challenging short-term targets for carbon reduction and supporting climate change – targets which are validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). 

Central to its King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024 win, was apetito’s work in launching the world’s-first closed loop recycling scheme for plastic meal trays, Project Boomerang. 

Under the Boomerang’ initiative, once the meals have been eaten, the used trays are collected from the company’s customers and turned back into new meal trays. The award-winning initiative is far more effective than household kerbside collections. Not only does it “collect” more (apetito collects close to 50% of all trays compared to household recycling which collects just 39%), apetito then guarantees that 100% of clean trays collected will be turned into new ones. This is in stark contrast to UK household recycling rates, where it is estimated that 46% is sent abroad for processing, often with uncertain results, including being sent to landfill.  

To celebrate the occasion, apetito held a celebratory lunch, inviting over 40 of its Long Service Heroes, members of team apetito with more than 20 years’ dedicated service.

During the occasion, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant was full of praise for apetito for achieving yet another Royal honour: “It’s impressive for a business to be recognised four times with the UK’s highest business accolade.

“apetito is one of just 29 businesses that were recognised in 2024 for their work in Sustainable Development.  The company is an exemplar of a business that leads the way through its actions to reduce its impact on the environment.

“To present this award today to a Wiltshire-based business has been a privilege”.

The presentation also was attended by the CEO and Chair of apetito UK, Paul Freeston and many of those involved directly with the award entry and sustainability projects that contributed to the award win. Freeston dedicated this award to all members of staff who made it possible, saying: “This reflects the hard work, commitment and vision of everyone here at apetito and Wiltshire Farm Foods. We are proud to be making a real difference in the area of ethics and sustainability and making significant strides on our journey to Net Zero by 2040.

“The continued success of our sustainability journey is the culmination of all the hard work and passion of everyone who works here.”

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