Cosmopolitan & Yardley appoints first group brand manager for UK

Cosmopolitan & Yardley Cosmetics has promoted Marion Ryan, its US-based marketing manager for global prestige brands, to be its first UK marketing head.

Ryan, who will report to UK managing director Brendan Maye, will be given the title of group brand manager. In the US she was responsible for the Dunhill, Ghost and Ellen Tracey brands.

Yardley went into receivership in 1998, resulting in the dismissal of Yardley chief executive Richard Finn. Following the receivership, the company, which was for years epitomised by English Lavender, was acquired by Wella subsidiary Cosmopolitan Cosmetics.

Brendan Maye, a former Unilever marketer, joined Yardley as sales director just before the company went into receivership.

Cosmopolitan Cosmetics’ brand portfolio includes Anna Sui, Gucci Envy and Gucci Rush Parfums, Trussardi and Rochas.

The Yardley brand embraces cosmetics, fragrances and skin products.

Last year, Yardley parted company with Doner Cardwell Hawkins, the agency appointed in 1999 to revamp its advertising.

According to Maye, the company is not looking for a new advertising agency.

Jones Britton Breckon Company handles the media.