Garner said: “In recent years, I have overseen the centralisation of the UK operation in Peterborough and restructured the business into three segmented divisions – cooking, warewashing and service.
“Having overseen the smooth transition and successful implementation of the new organisation, I feel the time is right for me to make the move, because the company is now well placed to build on its position as a leading UK supplier of cooking equipment, as well as being recognised as a market leader for warewashing.
“I retain my passion and enthusiasm for the industry and would like to continue to make a contribution in some way after I retire from my current role.”
Steve Brown, head of Hobart’s cooking operations in Europe added: “I would like to thank Ian for his outstanding contribution to Hobart over the past 39 years and for his commitment, enthusiasm and energy.”
Garner joined Hobart UK as a food processing specialist in the north west in 1975 and after working within the national accounts team became national sales manager in 1990. He followed this by becoming sales director in 1994 and added responsibility for marketing three years later.
He was appointed managing director for the entire Hobart UK operation in 1999 and managed the business through its acquisition by ITW, the full segmentation of sales and service and the launch of numerous innovative new products.
In 2011, the creation of European product platforms resulted in the segmentation of Hobart UK into three business units and he took on his current role.
No successor has been named yet.