Ex-Trebor Bassett chief to head Novartis
Novartis Consumer Health UK has appointed Kevin White, former sales director of Cadbury Trebor Bassett, as general manager with responsibility for marketing.
He succeeds Godfrey Axten who is to become president of Novartis Consumer Health for Japan and South Korea (MW July 20) in September. The company recently announced a joint venture with Japanese household goods company Kao in Tokyo.
White, who joined Novartis in July will be responsible for the sales, marketing, finance, supply and legal operations of the consumer healthcare division. Brands include malt-based drink Ovaltine, instant hot chocolate drink Options, isotonic sports drink Isostar, and children’s cold and coughs medicine Tixylix.
White was only made sales director in June after the merger of Cadbury Schweppes’s sugar confectionery division Trebor Bassett with its Cadbury chocolate division. Prior to the merger, he was commercial director at Cadbury Trebor Bassett, which has yet to find a replacement.
In the past year, Novartis Consumer Health has launched a high protein and calories sip feed called Resource Protein Extra and a range of suncare products, reformulated its concentrated Savlon antiseptic liquid, and extended the Tixy brand into the paediatric market.
