COUNTRY Valley Foods has made two key appointments as part of its drive to boost sales.

David Mason joins the Billingham-based food service supplier as sales controller and Ian Gould as sales manager. Both have extensive sales experience within the food service sector.

Mr Mason, from Durham, spent 12 years at food wholesalers Brakes as North East regional sales manager and three years at DBC Foodservice as regional sales manager for the North and Scotland.

He later became an independent purchasing consultant before joining Freshfare last August as business development manager.

Mr Gould, who lives in the Harrogate area, initially managed a hotel-restaurant in Pateley Bridge before taking over the business. He then spent 18 years with meat supplier Russel Hume, where he became sales director.

Mr Mason said: “It’s refreshing to join a well-run family business where you can respond to the market much more quickly than in the corporate world.”

James Munro, managing director at Country Valley Foods, said: “We are incredibly pleased to welcome two people with such an extensive knowledge of the food service industry and a proven ability in sales. I’m sure they will both play an important part in driving the company forward to achieve even greater success.”