Frank Gernon (59) is to step down from his full-time role as director, financial strategy and development, with fresh food group Total Produce on July 20th.

Mr Gernon, who assumed the role in 2009, will continue to be employed by the company in a part-time advisory role and will remain as an executive director on the board. Mr Gernon received a salary of € 559,000 last year, of which € 130,000 was a performance-related award, as well as a € 63,000 pension contribution.

Commenting on the move Carl McCann, chairman of Total Produce said that Mr Gernon had made “a very significant and valuable contribution to the development of the group”.

Mr Gernon joined Fyffes in 1973 wherehe held various senior accounting and financial positions. He was appointed group finance director of Fyffes in 1998.