Virgin Cosmetics appoints marketing head

Toiletries manufacturer Virgin Cosmetics has appointed retail marketer Nicky Milligan to head its UK and international marketing team.

Milligan was previously head of brand communications at food retailer Pret A Manger, and has spent the past few months as a freelance marketing consultant. She has also occupied various marketing roles at Asda.

Milligan replaces Sam Barber as head of brand and communications. Barber will not return to the company following maternity leave. Milligan has already worked with Virgin Cosmetics as a consultant during Barber’s absence.

The marketing role at the company has since been expanded to include international and online functions. Virgin Cosmetics owns 12 high street retail outlets and 12 Virgin Spa sites in the UK, as well as ten outlets that sell discounted Virgin products. The company also operates shops and spas in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates through franchises.

The majority of the company’s sales are generated through direct selling channels, with more than 9,000 consultants signed up to sell its 350 products in the UK. The company also distributes 1 million copies of its catalogue four times a year.

Virgin Cosmetics will open a flagship London shop next month in the Virgin Megastores outlet on Regent’s Street in the former Tower Records building. Milligan says Virgin Cosmetics has looked at ways to support the brand through using group resources such as linking with Virgin Megastores.