Allied Domecq Retailing hires chief

Allied Domecq Retailing has recruited its first marketing and development director. She comes from Togos, its sandwich bar company in the US.

Syl Saller, formerly vice-president of marketing for Togos, is to take over the new job created after a restructure last year. She will work across the two parts of Allied Domecq Retailing in the UK – specifically Allied Domecq Restaurant and Bars, which includes 560 food serving pubs, and Allied Domecq Inns, which includes 1,470 managed pubs.

Saller will share responsibility for the development of new concepts and existing UK retail brands such as Firkin, Mr Q’s, Big Steak Pub and Wacky Warehouse with Peter Farrett and Andy Walder, the marketing directors of Retailing and Restaurants.

A Harvard-educated marketer who has worked at Gillette, she will report to Allied Domecq Retailing chief executive Stephen Alexander.

Saller takes on the role after a difficult year in the UK pub market. Allied Domecq’s share price was severely knocked last week when it released a gloomy trading statement. The company cited “eroding consumer confidence” and said drink sales had slumped over Christmas.