Somerfield-Kwik Save marketing director steps down in restructure

Somerfield group marketing director Stephen Barnett has retired from the business following a restructure.

Earlier this year, Marketing Week reported that Barnett’s role was under review when two separate business units were established to manage the Somerfield and Kwik Save chains (MW February 7).

Barnett will not be replaced. It was announced in February that then associate group director of marketing Martin Sutherland would become Somerfield brand director.

It is understood that the Kwik Save team has been joined by former Superdrug marketing director Steven Round. He takes the post of brand director on a temporary contract.

Ian Hall, head of communications marketing on the Somerfield business, becomes marketing services director for Kwik Save. He will report to commercial director David Coxon.

Former Sainsbury’s marketing director Robin Whitbread has been brought in as group buying director. Whitbread left Sainsbury’s, where he was retail director, last year. He was replaced by Sara Weller and Stuart Mitchell, as assistant managing directors.

The restructure coincides with a new Somerfield ad campaign, created by McCann-Erickson. The campaign uses the strapline “Good food made easy”.