Unilever names laundry marketing chief

Unilever has appointed Petra Hangweier to lead marketing for its laundry brands in the UK and Ireland.

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Hangweier was previously savoury category director at Unilever’s German, Austrian and Swiss business.

She will handle brand building and commercial marketing for the Persil, Surf and Comfort brands and report to Matt Close, Unilever UK & Ireland vice-president of marketing for home and personal care.

Her appointment follows the departure of former category marketing director Batyr Bulat who recently left to take over the marketing director role at Samsung Mobile UK.

Unilever has pledged to boost growth by investing in marketing and chief marketing officer Keith Weed has recently expanded the marketing team with three global roles, including a global vice president of agency relations, a global vice president for marketing services and a global vice president for futures communications, to boost return.

The FMCG firm has also just revealed details of its new Sustainable Living Plan, which aims to help the company grow significantly while minimising its environmental impact.

Unilever has also completed its €1.2bn (£1.02bn) acquisition of Sara Lee’s bodycare business and after gaining regulatory approval.