Bernard Matthews’ troubleshooter leaves

Bernard Matthews Foods has parted company with its chief executive officer Bart Della Mura.

He arrived 16 months ago from Allied Bakeries with the aim of turning around the company’s fortunes after Jamie Oliver’s criticism of Turkey Twizzlers in his school meals campaign and fallout from the H5N1 avian flu outbreak in February.

He arrived as commercial director and within six months, at the height of the avian flu crisis at the Holton site, he was promoted to CEO and became the company’s public face on countless media interviews. In a brief statement the company confirmed the departure but not the reasons and whether or not he had been sacked.

“Bernard Matthews can confirm that the UK CEO, Bart Dalla Mura, has left the company. We wish to thank him for his contribution to the business and we wish him well for the future,” said a spokesman.

The long serving group chief executive Noel Bartram assumes responsibility for the UK board and will act as its chief executive.

“A new commercial head for the UK board will be appointed in due course but in the meantime there is a strong management team in place and it is business as usual for the company,” said a spokesman.