KFC hires marketing director from Unilever

Fast food chicken chain KFC has raided the Unilever marketing department to fill its vacant UK marketing director post, after an eight-month search.

Claire Harrison-Church has worked for Unilever since 1986. Her most recent position was Lever Fabergé UK new business manager, where she developed the Lynx barbers shop venture.

Harrison-Church joins KFC in September and replaces John Prior, who resigned in January after two years in the role. She will handle KFC’s &£12m advertising spend and report to KFC general manager UK, Ireland and Iceland Justin Ash.

The fast food chain’s advertising is created by Ogilvy & Mather, with media buying handled by Zenith Media.

Harrison-Church says: “KFC is a great brand with huge potential for growth. I’m joining at a very exciting time and delighted to be part of the business.”

Ash adds: “I’m confident she will be both a terrific leader for our marketing function and a great addition to our management team – providing expertise and passion.”

KFC employs 12,000 staff and has about 500 stores in the UK and plans to open another 300 by 2005.

KFC’s sales have grown by 76 per cent in the past five years. At the end of last year it launched its official UK website.

KFC is owned by Tricon Restaurants, which also has Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in its stable.