Bernard Matthews CEO in sudden departure

LONDON - The chief executive of Bernard Matthews Bart Dalla Mura has suddenly quit the business.

Dalla Mura, who joined the company in July last year, became the public face of the turkey producers in recent months in the midst of bird flu scares earlier this year. The poultry brand hit the headlines in February when avian flu was discovered on its one of its East Anglian farms.

Sales of Bernard Matthews products dropped by 17% over the past year following the outbreak of bird flu, according to TNS Worldpanel (Marketing 17 August).

Bernard Matthews confirmed Dalla Mura had left the company, but would not comment on the reasons for his departure. For full story see next issue of Marketing.