MISSISSAUGA, ONT. — Casey Richards has been named senior vice-president of marketing and innovation at Maple Leaf Foods, Inc.

Mr. Richards previously was vice-president and general manager of Maple Leaf’s pastry business. Before that, he held marketing and general management positions at Conagra Brands, where he was brand director for Marie Callender’s, and General Mills, where he led marketing efforts for Totino’s, Cheerios and Nature Valley.

In addition to leading marketing and innovation for all Maple Leaf brands, Mr. Richards will continue to oversee the company’s pastry business.

“His deep and broad experience in general management and consumer packaged goods marketing will be a valuable asset in supporting the execution of our strategic blueprint,” said Curtis Frank, chief operating officer at Maple Leaf Foods. “Casey will also play a critical role in helping Maple Leaf Foods realize our ambition of becoming ‘the most sustainable protein company on earth.’”

Maple Leaf Foods has invested heavily in expanding its plant-based protein portfolio, which includes the LightLife and Field Roast Grain Meat Co brands. In April, the company announced it is working with its subsidiaries to build a new plant-based facility in Shelbyville, Ind. The $310 million manufacturing facility is expected to be the largest of its kind in North America and will double the company’s current plant-based production capacity.