Ex-Wella marketer lands top UK job

Haircare products maker Wella UK has promoted its former head of UK consumer marketing Bob Bartlett to overall marketing chief of all the company’s UK business.

Bartlett’s position at the company was in doubt earlier this year, after Wella divested its consumer haircare business to Procter & Gamble (MW July 15). P&G failed to find a place for him within its integrated haircare business, while Wella did not immediately offer him a position.

Bartlett, a 28-year veteran of Wella in the UK, becomes executive director from the beginning of October, responsible for Wella’s professional and salon business. Former professional products chief Steve Lowe will move to become head of sales and operations, although he will also carry the title of executive director. Wilfried Richter will continue as chairman and managing director.

About 700 of Wella’s 2,000-strong global marketing and sales team were made redundant following last year’s &£2.2bn licensing deal, which saw P&G take responsibility for the Wella consumer brands. Group marketing manager Cecilia Fleming, the most senior marketer under Bartlett in Wella’s consumer division, left without a job to go to.

Bartlett will oversee the salon launch of Micro, a new designer haircare range, as well as Head Games, a line of hair cleaning and styling products aimed at younger people.