Spillers finds replacement for Esberger

Spillers UK marketing director Simon Esberger will be replaced by Quaker commercial director Pete Farrand. Sources say Esberger has turned down the role of Brussels-based European marketing director of the newly-combined petfood business.

They add that he is considering other management positions within the Dalgety group, which owns the combined business. A European marketing director is still being sought by the company.

Esberger was passed over for the role of managing director of Spillers last month after acting in the role since the beginning of the year. The new petfood operation is still looking for a managing director, who will report to chief executive Nigel Garrow. Garrow was moved across from the food ingredients division of Dalgety and his main responsibility was to mastermind the European merger of Spillers and Quaker.

Spillers owner Dalgety completed the ú442m acquisition of Quaker European Petfoods last week and the business is now being integrated into Spillers.

The new operation is likely to see some rationalisation of its advertising agency roster.