Innocent poaches Walkers marketing chief

Innocent Drinks has appointed Thomas Delabriere, currently marketing director of Doritos, Sensations and Sunbites brands at Walkers Snacks, as its new marketing chief. Delabriere, who has been with PepsiCo-owned company for just 13 months, replaces Gareth Helm, who left at the start of the year.

The appointment follows news that Innocent managing director Jamie Mitchell, who had been marketing director prior to Helm, is leaving the company to pursue opportunities. He is planning to work with private equity investors looking to buy struggling brands.

His departure has led to a major restructure of its management team including scrapping the managing director role. Commercial director Giles Brooks has been promoted to the board, as will Delabriere when he steps into his new role.

However, a statement from PepsiCo says that Delabriere remains in discussions with the company although it says he has “indicated that he is interested †in pursuing career options outside of PepsiCo”.

Delabriere left Danone last year to take up his role with PepsiCo’s Walkers business in October (MW July 26, 2007). At Danone, he was marketing manager for probiotic drink, Actimel.

He had spent six years with the company in various roles in the UK and France. He has previously worked on Unilver’s Cif and Persil brands in France.