Wilkinson Sword chief moves on to global role

Wilkinson Sword marketing director Warwick Owen is leaving to join parent company Warner Lambert as its global business director.

Owen takes up his new post, which is based in the US, in the middle of the month.

Owen handles the marketing of Wilkinson Sword’s razors and shaving accessories such as the FX Performer, Protector and Lady Protector. He was promoted from marketing manager to marketing director in 1995.

Owen took the brand into broadcast sponsorship for the first time. Wilkinson Sword currently sponsors all football coverage on

Channel 5. Its first sponsorship was a season of Sky movies in 1995.

The company will seek a replacement for Owen, but is not expected to appoint anyone for at least three-to-four months.

Managing director William Cosgrove will oversee the role in the interim.

Warner Lambert is one of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies. It operates in over 140 countries, employing 42,000 people.

Warner Lambert markets about 1,000 products, including Benylin cough medicine, Listerine mouthwash, and confectionery such as Fruitella and Clorets chewing gum and mints.