Staff exits force Whitbread rejig

Whitbread Beer Company has begun reorganising its marketing department following the loss of two key managers.

Tracey Darwen, marketing controller for Stella Artois, Whitbread’s best performing brand, is leaving to join media buying agency Motive Communications as head of development. This follows the recent decision by John Derkach, marketing director for Whitbread Beer, to move to the leisure and brewing giant’s Beefeater chain as managing director.

A successor for Derkach has not been announced, but Darwen is to be replaced by Stuart MacFarlane, who will move from his current position as marketing manager of Boddingtons. Kathyrn McNamara will succeed him at Boddingtons following the launch of new vodka and fruit drink Source. Eleanor Hughes will take on the role of marketing manager for Source and Volsk. Graeme Mitchell responsible for Samuel Adams Boston Lager, will add Hoegaarden to his responsibilities.

Phil Rumbol and Matthew King will remain as marketing managers for Heineken and Labatt’s respectively.

Miles Templeman, managing director of Whitbread Beer Company, comments: “These changes provide important development opportunities for members of the team and I have every confidence that these appointments will help us to successfully market and develop our portfolio of brands.”