Vodafone signs enterprise deal with Premier Foods

UK operator group Vodafone has signed a five-year multi-million pound contract with food group Premier Foods.

Premier Foods is parent to brands such as Batchelors, Bisto and Mr Kipling, and is headed by former Vodafone executive Gavin Darby. Darby held roles as CEO/COO of Vodafone UK, CEO for USA, Africa, China and India at Vodafone Group, and director Asia-Pacific/Middle East, before leaving the operator in 2010.

His departure was reportedly due to a falling out with Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao. Darby also left his role as CEO at Cable and Wireless Worldwide in November 2011, after Vodafone acquired the firm.

But his relationship with the company doesn’t appear to have soured as much as his relationship with Colao. The multi-million pound contract with Vodafone sees the operator become the food group’s “fully integrated communications partner” covering fixed and mobile voice services and an upgrade and network linking all of Premier Foods’ sites.

Darby said: “Reducing complexity is a key part of our strategy to drive growth. By continually improving our efficiency and effectiveness we will be better able to meet customer needs. I am delighted to be working with Vodafone who will deliver the right integrated communications platform to support our future growth.”

Vodafone Global Enterprise chief executive, Jan Geldmacher, added that the operator can help Premier Foods to realise further value from within its business and achieve growth ambitions.  “We believe that our agreement will quickly become a powerful and productive partnership and one which highlights the benefits of integrated communications.”