Place UK has further strengthened its commercial team with the appointment of three new team members, reflecting continued growth across new product categories and markets.
Joining the business are Megan Penson, retail business manager, Francesca Richards, commercial manager, and Toby Runyeard, senior NPD manager, bringing a wealth of experience across retail, food manufacturing, commercial partnerships and product development.
Place UK’s co-managing director, Linda Evans, explained the expansion had been driven by two key factors. Firstly, the business broadening its offering, including added-value fruit, beans and pulses, and frozen snacking products. Secondly, Linda stepping up from commercial director to co-managing director created the need to strengthen the wider commercial function, bringing in additional leadership and specialist expertise. Read more about Linda and Matt’s appointment.
Our newly expanded commercial team will enable Place UK to work even more closely with customers, increase our focus on innovation, and support growth across emerging categories and channels, including frozen snacking and hospitality.
To find out more about the changes and new team members, we spoke to Megan, Francesca and Toby about the experience they each bring to their new roles, their first impressions of Place UK and the opportunities that excite them the most.
Megan Penson, retail business manager
Prior to joining Place UK in July 2026, Megan worked as a commercial partnerships manager at Virgin Wines, managing retail accounts within the wine industry. Earlier in her career, she gained experience in social media and influencer marketing.
What are your first impressions of the business, the farm and the team so far?
“I think it’s such a lovely place to work. Everyone is friendly, supportive and more than happy to help. Having introductions across the business during my first week was invaluable, helping me understand how the farm and factories operate, while also allowing me to get to know the different teams and see how our roles could work together.”
One of Megan’s favourite aspects of the role is its variety.
“Every day and every week is different. One day I might be meeting customers and visiting their sites, and the next I could be working closely with internal teams on projects we’re preparing to launch.”
Working alongside head of retail sales, Ben Place, Megan focuses primarily on our retail customers in the frozen fruit category, including many major retailers.
“Our existing accounts don’t limit us; there’s still the opportunity to take a wider view of the business and explore cross-selling avenues that can bring additional value into those retail accounts.”
Which of our products or services are you most excited to talk about?
“The innovation and expansion opportunities with our major retailers are so exciting. They’re collaborative and open to exploring new ideas, and our capabilities as a business align strongly with what they’re looking for, which definitely sets Place UK apart.
“We have some exciting projects in development, including new fruit lines and frozen snacking opportunities. We aim to continue innovating and working closely with retailers to help expand the frozen category.”
Francesca Richards, commercial manager
Francesca joined Place UK in August 2026, bringing experience from a previous sales role focused on targeting new business across foodservice and wholesalers, while managing existing customer relationships. She has also worked in a role where she collaborated with the customer, being involved in seasonal and AYR gifting and hampers from NPD concerts to launches and holds a degree in Agri-Business and Food Marketing from the Royal Agricultural University.
What are your first impressions of the business, the farm and the team so far?
“It feels like a community and a family at Place UK. Everyone is very friendly, and you never feel silly asking any questions as someone is always there to help.
“What stands out most is how passionate people are about their work. Whether it’s colleagues in the factory or the office, everyone cares deeply about the products, the customers and the success of the business. I’ve never been in a factory where people are so friendly, positive and motivated, all with big smiles on their faces.”
Francesca also enjoys the role’s variety and the collaborative culture across the commercial team.
Working alongside our head of food manufacturing sales, Barrie Weavers, Francesca supports customers using beans, pulses, rice, pasta, fruit purées and frozen fruit, with these ingredients going into products ranging from ready meals and soups to convenience and on-the-go formats, sold through major retailers across the country.
“At the moment there is a huge demand for beans, driven in part by the growing ‘fibre-maxing’ trends. That’s something we’re seeing reflected in a number of customer projects.”
Which of our products or services are you most excited to talk about?
“The bean side of the business is particularly exciting right now. There is huge opportunity to create innovative bean mixes and lines that meet demand for both high-protein and high-fibre foods.
“We’re also seeing interest in different shapes and sizes of beans, pulses and pasta, influenced by new premium products entering the market. It’s a very innovative and fast-moving space at the moment.”
Toby Runyeard, senior NPD manager
Toby joined Place UK in August 2026 too and brings extensive experience from across the food industry. Starting his career in a professional kitchen at the age of 16, Toby spent nearly a decade working in a Michelin-starred restaurant. And after travelling and supporting restaurants with menu development, made the move into New Product Development roles with companies including Kerry Foods and Pilgrim’s Europe, where he spent 13 years developing ready meals for major retailers.
What are your first impressions of the business, the farm and the team so far?
“The first thing I noticed was how helpful and friendly everyone is. It’s a real contrast to working in a big corporation.
“From an NPD perspective, larger organisations can take a long time to make changes, whereas a business like Place UK is much more agile and able to pivot and adapt quickly, rather than trying to steer a cruise ship.”
As someone still settling into the business, Toby says every week brings something new.
“One day I’ll be reviewing samples, the next I’ll be working on new projects or assessing trial results. That’s one of the things I enjoy most about NPD – every day is different.”
Which trends and opportunities are exciting you most?
Toby sees innovation as a key driver of future growth at Place UK and believes there is significant opportunity to develop new products and capabilities.
“Social media is one of the biggest sources of food trends and inspiration right now. It’s where many consumer trends are formed, particularly around snacking and flavour profiles.”
Toby highlights sour fruits and smoothies as key trends currently gaining momentum online.
“The launch of Place Ingredients and the development of product mixes for the foodservice sector are strong examples of where we’re responding to market trends. There’s a lot of opportunity ahead, and it’s exciting to be part of shaping what comes next.”
