Segro, the industrial landlord and developer with massive ambitions in the Midlands big shed sector, has appointed the woman who runs Cadbury chocolate to their board as it sharpens its focus on the retail supply chain.

Mary Barnard is currently the regional president of chocolate category, Europe, for Mondelēz International, the multinational confectionary, food and beverage corporation that now controls brands including Cadbury and Philadelphia cream cheese.

Barnard, who has made a name for herself in the European chocolate business, has a background in sales and marketing: She was previously senior vice president and general manager for the Pepsi-Lipton Partnership, responsible for sales, marketing and R&D. She was also a non-executive director of Poundland Group between 2015 and 2016.

The move is the clearest signal yet that Segro is planning to develop a stronger brand identity (like Prologis) and gives them a vital inside track on supply chains in the retail sector.

"Mary's extensive commercial experience in understanding customers through her various international roles in sales and marketing, together with her knowledge of the operation of the retail supply chain, will prove a fantastic asset for Segro as we continue to focus on and adapt to the ever-changing needs and demands of our customers and wider stakeholders," Segro Chairman Gerald Corbett said.

Segro is growing fast: in July 2018 it pipped Landsec to become the UK's largest listed property company, thanks to the surge in demand in the industrial sector. At that point Segro’s market capitalisation rose to £6.78B and while the two have swapped places, it is currently the larger company, with a market cap of £6.49B compared to Landsec's £6.45B.