UB takes axe to chief marketing post

United Biscuits’ (UB) top marketer Ed Jackson has been made redundant as part of a management shake-up.

Jackson, previously a marketer at Lever Bros, has already left his role as managing director, development operations, and has no job to go to. Robert Schofield, managing director of UB UK, will also leave at the end of the month.

UB, which was bought out by European consortium Finalrealm and Nabisco earlier this year, is organising the business into categories after scrapping its geographical structure.

It has poached Heinz’s managing director of European infant feeding, Graham Johns, to be group managing director of its new biscuit category. Johns takes on Schofield’s responsibilities, as well as overseeing international operations. Johns’ position at Heinz has been filled by Antonio Spagnolo, managing director of Southern Europe infant feeding.

The McVitie’s marketing team will report to Johns. It is headed by Pascale Muylaert, but she is leaving UB next year (MW November 16). Anthony Francheterre, marketing director of UB France, which includes the BN and Delacre brands, retains his role.

KP Snacks managing director Will Carter will become managing director of UB’s snacks category. KP Snacks marketing director Mandy Ferguson and her team will report to Carter, as will the KP Nuts marketers.

The power brands team, headed by Jude Bridges and Andy Weston-Webb, was disbanded earlier this year when marketing was devolved to UB’s various divisions.

A UB spokeswoman says: “Malcolm Ritchie (UB chairman and chief executive) was determined to have two marketing people in charge of the categories. It will be up to them to determine the size of the marketing departments and whether there is a need to review advertising.”