Ehrmann Cornish Dairy, the UK business combining German dairy giant Ehrmann and Cornwall-based Cornish Dairy Co., has announced the appointment of Ed Watts as chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Watts steps into the role at a defining moment for the business as it builds on the integration of Cornish Dairy Co. and enters the next phase of its long-term UK strategy. Following a period of significant investment in its operations, the business has returned to profitable trading and is now focused on accelerating sustainable growth, establishing the Ehrmann brand in the UK, expanding manufacturing capability and strengthening its position across both branded and own-label dairy.

As CEO, he will lead the delivery of Ehrmann Cornish Dairy’s long-term turnaround and development plan, overseeing continued investment in production, innovation and operational efficiency, the company says. The business is currently investing in a new desserts facility, due for completion by the end of 2026, alongside a programme of efficiency projects expected to deliver significant cost savings by early 2027.

Watts brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across some of the world’s most recognised FMCG businesses. Having previously held senior commercial roles at Johnson & Johnson, Reckitt and Mars, he most recently served as UK commercial director at JDE Peet’s (Jacobs Douwe Egberts), where he led the commercial strategy for the UK’s market-leading coffee business.

His appointment follows his tenure as chief commercial officer, where he played a key role in strengthening customer relationships, driving innovation and supporting the integration of Cornish Dairy Co. into the wider Ehrmann business.

Commenting on his appointment, Watts said “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to lead a business with such strong foundations, exceptional people and genuine ambition. We’ve already made significant progress in stabilising the business, investing in our operations and building long-term partnerships with customers and farmers, and now we’re focused on accelerating that momentum.

“My vision is for Ehrmann Cornish Dairy to become recognised as one of the top three dairy companies in the UK. We have the scale, expertise and investment behind us to achieve that, and by continuing to innovate, investing in our manufacturing capabilities and delivering outstanding products for both branded and own-label customers, I’m confident we can establish ourselves as one of the defining businesses in the UK dairy sector.”

The appointment reflects Ehrmann Cornish Dairy’s continued investment in both its people and its long-term UK operations as it reinforces its position within the chilled dairy sector and continues to support British dairy farming through its longstanding relationships with Cornish milk producers.