Benckiser chief wins top UK role

Benckiser marketer Keith Edwards is poised to beat Reckitt & Coleman’s David Shaw to the job of UK marketing director following their £4.8bn merger.

Sources close to Benckiser confirm that Edwards, the company’s UK marketing director, will take on overall responsibility for marketing when the merger, which is in its final stages, is complete.

It is not known what role Shaw, Reckitt’s UK director of marketing, will take.

The new company, to be called Reckitt Benckiser, will have a combined turnover of over £3bn. Its brands will include Vanish stain remover, Finish dishwasher tablets, Dettol disinfectant and Mr Sheen furniture polish.

Edwards’ appointment means Roose & Partners and WCRS, which handle Benckiser’s advertising, are well-placed to grab the new group’s entire business. Reckitt is handled by McCann-Erickson.

Neither company would comment on Edwards’ appointment. Edwards was not available either.