Golden Wonder restructures after marketing chief quits

Golden Wonder marketing director Rob Morgan has left the company after two years in the role. It is understood that he has quit to go into consultancy work.

The crisp manufacturer has restructured its marketing team instead of replacing Morgan directly. It has appointed Loretta MacFarlane as marketing controller and Rashid Khan as brand manager.

MacFarlane, who will report directly to Golden Wonder chief executive Ed Jackson, joins from rival crisp maker Tayto Northern Ireland. She has also worked for Jacob’s Bakery, Express Dairies and Booker Foodservice. Khan has held a variety of marketing roles in the food industry, including with Burtons Foods.

Morgan, a former head of strategy at retailer Boots, joined Golden Wonder in November 2003 with a place on the board (MW November 13, 2003). He replaced Kirsty Taylor, who had left after a year (MW September 18, 2003).

He was bought in with a brief to revitalise the flagging snacks brand and during his tenure he has focused on increasing marketing and new product development. Last year, Golden Wonder launched a range of premium crisps called Golden Skins and resurrected 1970s crisp brand Ringos.

It is not known what the changes will mean for the brand’s agencies, JWT and Starcom Group.