Montezumas appoints Michael Taylor as chairman board of directors

Montezuma’s, the premium artisan chocolate manufacturer, has appointed Michael Taylor as chairman of its newly formed board of directors.

Michael began his career at Kraft Foods in 1994 where he spent 12 years establishing a firm grounding within commercial functions. He joined Kellogg’s in 2006 and then Mondelez in 2011 where he became Managing Director for the UK & Ireland before departing in 2018 to pursue non-executive opportunities.

Commenting on his appointment, Montezuma’s founders Helen and Simon Pattinson said: “We are absolutely delighted that Michael is joining Montezuma’s Chocolates as the chairman of our board of directors. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise within the chocolate and wider FMCG industry, both within the UK and Europe. With his strong commercial background, we believe that Michael will be a great appointment as chair of the board, helping to guide and steer Montezuma’s as we look to continue to drive the success of the brand, both in the UK and internationally.”

Michael Taylor said: “Montezuma’s Chocolates is a brand with exciting potential and I am looking forward to working closely with the founders, Inverleith LLP and a new executive management team to see this brand become a household favourite in the UK and in other countries where its qualities are yet to be discovered.”

Also joining the board of directors as non-executives are Paul Skipworth, ex chief executive of The Glenmorangie Company, Partner L Capital and managing partner of Inverleith LLP, and Michael Atkinson, Inverleith LLP’s operating & brand director. Montezuma’s founders, Helen and Simon Pattinson, will sit on the board of directors, as will a new managing director, who will be appointed following a period of transition during which the founders are stepping away from day to day management of the business.

The appointment follows the recent investment into Montezuma’s by Inverleith LLP, an Edinburgh, Scotland based private equity fund which specialises in consumer brand investment, in a move that will see the company expand its UK and international distribution, continue its focus on innovation, with products such as its recent dairy free, ‘Like No Udder’ chocolate bar, and see new marketing campaigns drive awareness.

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