FROZEN food retailer Iceland has welcomed back Ian Schofield as own label controller.

Mr Schofield (pictured) worked with Iceland founder Malcolm Walker, who hails from Grange Moor, during the early days of the business.

His appointment as part of the buying team headed by Nigel Broadhurst is part of Mr Walker’s commitment to strengthen the team following his buy-back of the Deeside-based company.

Mr Schofield launched the own label team in 1984 before leaving Iceland in 1993 to work for 10 years as sales and marketing director at Sun Branding Solutions. In this position, he has been working with all the leading retailers and brands across the world helping them launch products more effectively.

Mr Schofield, who lives in Halifax and plays golf at Huddersfield Golf Club, will be responsible for the whole own label launch process at Iceland, including the innovation kitchen and the packaging technology team.

He said: “I have Iceland in my blood from the early days and I am really looking forward to driving growth and innovation in all our markets.”

Mr Schofield is a fellow of the Packaging Society and a member of the Marketing Society.

Iceland has stores at Batley and at Aspley and Trinity Street in Huddersfield.