Lamb Weston appoints Ingredion executive James Gray as next CFO

Feb 4 (Reuters) - Frozen fries supplier Lamb Weston LW.N on Wednesday named James Gray as its next finance chief and said he will take charge from incumbent Bernadette Madarieta on April 2.

Gray, who is currently the CFO of ingredients provider Ingredion INGR.N, has also worked for more than a decade at PepsiCo in various finance leadership roles.

Outgoing CFO Madarieta will help Gray transition into his role in an interim advisory capacity, Lamb Weston said.

The company also appointed Jan Craps, a veteran in the beverage industry, to the newly created role of executive chair, from February 6.

Last quarter, Lamb Weston stuck to its annual sales forecast despite strong quarterly results, signaling muted demand for the rest of the fiscal year.

Shares of the company, which also supplies potato sides and appetizers to fast-food chains such as McDonald's MCD.N and Yum Brands YUM.N, were up 1.2% in early trading.