Barbour hires international marketer

Country clothing brand J Barbour & Sons has appointed Claire Saunders as international marketing manager. She joins from media agency Robson Brown, where she was business development director. She is also a former marketing director of Northern DIY chain Dickens.

Saunders joined the company this week and is responsible for all UK and international marketing. She will oversee the launch in March of Barbour’s new men’s footwear line and a women’s equestrian range. Saunders replaces Andrew Geere, who was promoted to UK commercial director earlier this year (MW January 9).

The Country and Town footwear range is Barbour’s first move out of waders and wellington boots. The Town collection is a range of formal dress shoes, with prices starting from &£95; the Country range is for casual wear and prices start at &£75. It will be launched in the UK first and across Europe later this year,

The women’s Equestrian range, which is competition approved, includes clothing for both riding and casual wear, and includes a range of riding shoes and accessories. It will be launched across the UK, Europe and the US next month.

Both the men’s footwear line and the equestrian range will be supported by campaigns in the country press. Barbour is considering using some other magazines to promote the new range, but is keen to maintain its country focus. Media buying is through Manchester agency Purely Media.