GrandMet Euro shake-up opens way for new UK marketing chief

Grand Metropolitan’s food division, Pillsbury UK, has appointed a new head of marketing following the promotion of former commercial director Martin Jamieson in a major shake-up.

Jamieson, who took over as managing director of the UK operation after his boss Ian McMahon was made managing director of Pillsbury Europe, has appointed marketing controller Dominic Harrison to the top job.

GrandMet announced this month it was selling two-thirds of its European foods businesses, including smaller UK outfits Shippams and Memory Lane Cakes, to concentrate on building the international brands Häagen-Dazs, Old El Paso, Green Giant and Pillsbury (which is about to be reintroduced across Europe).

The UK operation will continue to market frozen pastry brand Jus-Rol. GrandMet Foods Europe and GrandMet Foods UK are being renamed Pillsbury Europe and Pillsbury UK to reflect the changes.

Harrison, who formerly worked on Pillsbury and Häagen-Dazs, takes responsibility for all four international brands in his new executive role and will report to Jamieson.

Jamieson says: “Harrison has headed the development of Pillsbury and has done a great job. This is reflected in his elevated position.”

Kerry Pettitt, marketing manager of Häagen-Dazs, takes on additional responsibility for Green Giant, while the marketing manager for Pillsbury, Kathy Hogg, will also work on Old El Paso.

See News Analysis, page 21