Future unclear after death of RHM head

The future of the top marketing role at RHM Bread Bakeries is unclear following the death of divisional marketing director Kate Taylor.

It is understood that Taylor, who had been in the job for a year, had been suffering from cancer. It is thought that she had been away from work for some time and that an interim appointment has been made, although it is not known who has been handed the role.

RHM declined to comment on the future of the marketing team and it is not clear if the company is seeking a new group marketer or if it will now restructure the division.

Taylor, who had worked with RHM for about nine years, was appointed as brands director at Manor Bakeries, which includes the Mr Kipling brand, in 2003 (MW August 14, 2003).

Before that she was managing director at McDougall Foods. Taylor was promoted last year after Paula Moss, the former divisional marketing director, left the company to pursue other interests.

There has already been a significant restructure at RHM, which it completed last year. It streamlined the business to focus on three divisions rather than four, with the customer solutions division being merged into Manor Bakeries.

The bread bakeries division is a key part of the RHM portfolio and includes brands such as Hovis.