pladis makes two major UK sales leadership appointments for snacking operations

Global snacks group pladis has confirmed it is strengthening the company’s UK & Ireland (UK&I) leadership team after appointing two new senior sales managers for the region, reports Neill Barston.

The business, which is behind key brands including McVities and Jacobs, has named Trevor Callander as Vice President Grocery, UK&I, while Florence Brain joins the team in a convenience segment role as Impulse Director, UK&I.

As previously reported, the business has enjoyed a notably busy period amid significant product development, including delivering a reformulated Twiglets snacks series, devised with 60% less salt, as well as a key update for its Go Ahead biscuit range, which has also undergone a recipe enhancement.

On its new appointments, Trevor Callander has gained a wide sector experience including over 20 years with General Mills, and was also Sales, Marketing and Innovation Director for Northern Europe at DS Smith. In this new role, he will focus on driving sustained category growth for pladis UK&I as well as steering its response to industry-wide challenges faced by the grocery sector, such as high rates of inflation and regulatory change.

Meanwhile, Florence Brain (pictured) joins from Britvic, where she was Director of Category, Shopper and Trade Engagement across the Grocery, Convenience, Foodservice and Hospitality channels. Brain will lead the impulse commercial team to drive for strategic partnerships with customers and unlock new opportunities for pladis’ portfolio of well-known brands.

Managing Director of pladis UK&I, David Murray, welcomed the two new senior hires for the business, which has continued to extend its portfolio with new Christmas season releases.

He said: “We’re delighted to welcome Trevor and Florence to the leadership team. Joining us at a time when our industry is facing significant headwinds, both bring with them unparalleled understanding of our sector which will help us navigate and exploit opportunities for growth, amid the evolving retail landscape.”

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