Baugur lines up Iceland boss Nick Canning for group role

Iceland marketing director Nick Canning is being lined up for a more senior role within the retailer’s parent group Baugur. It is believed Canning is in discussions with the Icelandic retail investment company about the position.

Iceland marketing director Nick Canning is being lined up for a more senior role within the retailer’s parent group Baugur. It is believed Canning is in discussions with the Icelandic retail investment company about the position.

Separately, Canning is shifting the &£10m media buying and planning business for Iceland from MediaCom into MediaCom North. The decision was taken after discussions took place between Canning and MediaCom as part of a contract review. It is believed the switch will enable the main MediaCom agency to hunt for retail clients more easily by reducing the risk of conflicts.

Canning retained MediaCom when he reviewed media arrangements after arriving at the retailer four years ago (MW October 31, 2002), having previously been marketing director at The Sun and News of the World. The advertising account, handled by Tom Reddy Advertising since June last year, remains unaffected.

Canning declined to confirm any timetable for his transfer to the new role, and a spokesman for Baugur claimed senior management within the group were unaware that Canning is moving to head another of its companies.

He had previously been linked to the top European marketing role at fast-food chain McDonald’s (MW March 23), a post recently filled by former BA marketer Jill McDonald.

Baugur has bought a swathe of UK retailers in recent years, including toy shop Hamleys and specialist tea and coffee supplier Whittard of Chelsea. It is eyeing up department store chain House of Fraser, which has accepted an indicative bid of &£351m, allowing Baugur access to its confidential financial information.