Hilton Food Group enjoyed a strong profit performance and like-for-like volume growth, with its "current trading in line with expectations," it has said in its results for the 26-week period ended June 30, 2024.

The seafood business continues to improve, underpinning profit growth in the UK and Ireland, it said, while its plans with Hilton Foods Canada -- the launch of a multi-protein facility, starting with beef, lamb, pork, seafood, some added-value products and robotized store order-picking services -- remain on track for 2027.

"These results represent another step forward as Hilton Foods further improves business performance and profitability," said CEO Steve Murrells. "Our core meat category performed particularly well, driving volume growth, while the continued positive momentum in our seafood business has helped to underpin profit performance."

"Our core product ranges remain highly attractive to both our customers and their consumers, while the breadth of our offering makes us well placed to win across every meal, in both retail and foodservice."

Hilton also announced the appointment of Mark Allen as a non-executive director and chair designate with effect from Oct. 1, 2024.

Allen will become chair of the board from Jan. 1, 2025, at which time Robert Watson will step down after more than 20 years with the business.

"Mark, who has significant public company, consumer goods and food sector experience, will also join the nomination committee and assume the committee chair role from Jan. 1."

Allen was previously CEO at Dairy Crest Group from 2007 to 2019 and has held non-executive director roles at Halo Foods, Warburtons, Dairy UK, Howden Joinery Group and Norcros, where he was chair. 

Hilton recently introduced a new crustacean welfare policy following Tesco's own launch of new guidelines.

Tesco pushes to eliminate eyestalk ablation in new crustacean welfare policy
The policy addresses welfare considerations during farming, transport, and slaughter by recognizing crustaceans as sentient beings.

Developed with the support of the Aquatic Life Institute, the policy underscores Hilton's commitment to enhancing animal welfare across its supply chain, it said.