Mattel lures Black & Decker chief

Mattel has appointed Richard Sanderson to be its new vice-president and managing director for the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Sanderson was managing director of Black & Decker.

He replaces Denis Horton, who left the company in March. Horton’s departure followed disappointing performances by the company’s two flagship brands, Barbie and Fisher-Price, in the UK.

Graham Benison, currently acting managing director, resumes his job as vice-president of human resources and corporate affairs, based in Amsterdam.

Sanderson, who starts in September, will report to Mike Rosicki, who is executive vice-president of Mattel Inc and president of Europe, the Middle East and Canada.

Benison says: “We are delighted to have an individual of Richard’s diverse commercial experience of branded consumer durables join Mattel. He is joining at an exciting period in our growth cycle, particularly as we have just made the key strategic acquisition of Bluebird toys in the UK.”

During his time at Black & Decker, Sanderson oversaw a tie up with ICI’s Dulux which resulted in the launch of the Black & Decker Paintmate, which incorporated additional Dulux Handypacks.

In June, the Board of Trade/ Department of Trade & Industry cleared the acquisition of Bluebird toys by Mattel.

Mattel, which last year made sales of US$5.38bn (3.2bn), is hoping to double international sales.