Hagen-Dazs brand head leaves

Hagen-Dazs’ marketing chief Nicola Chilton, responsible for the day-to-day running of the premium ice cream brand in the UK, has left the company.

Chilton is understood to have left of her own accord and is not thought to have plans to join another company.

Her departure comes only months after brand owner Grand Metropolitan earmarked Hagen-Dazs’ independent UK office for closure. This resulted in the redundancies of commercial director Steve Ramsey and shops director Keith Howard. Prior to the reorganisation, Chilton reported to managing director Franáois Eyssette who left last August. After the closure of the independent office Chilton reported to GrandMet’s marketing director Clive Whittaker.

Chilton leaves as Hagen-Dazs considers TV advertising following a claimed increase in marketing spend to ú5m from ú4m last year. The brand’s agency, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, is understood to be questioning the wisdom of a TV campaign.

Chilton took on the marketing manager role about 18 months ago. Hagen-Dazs abolished the marketing director post when it promoted Simon Esberger to a European role. Esberger left soon after to join Spillers.