Carlsberg boss quits to join The Unique Group

Carlsberg-Tetley national account manager David Edwards has left to join Noel Edmonds’ company The Unique Group as its first director of commercial affairs.

Edwards joins a growing list of marketing personnel to leave the Burton-based brewing company, which faces an uncertain future while its potential takeover by Bass is reviewed by the Monopolies & Mergers Commission.

His post at The Unique Group will involve all marketing and business development activities with third parties for a varied collection of operations. These range from TV production, the merchandising and licensing of characters and concepts such as Mr Blobby and Crinkley Bottom, leisure and event management, aviation and artiste representation. He will report to Unique’s managing director Paul Pascoe.

Edwards spent two years as Carlsberg-Tetley’s national account manager, and two years as the company’s sponsorship and PR manager. Before that he worked at Carlsberg-Tetley for four years and at Michelin Tyre.

A Carlsberg-Tetley spokesman says the company will appoint another member to the account management team, but the new recruit may have slightly different responsibilities.

One of Edwards’ priorities will be the development of the Unique Sport division, which is involved in motorsport and equestrianism. The company is organising a two-man team for the Le Mans 24-hour car race, and Edwards will look at sponsorship, merchandising and corporate hospitality opportunities.