UB appoints Mars boss to McVitie’s role

Mark Horgan, Mars’ European franchise manager for chocolate brand M&M’s, has left to join United Biscuits as McVitie’s marketing controller.

Horgan reports to McVitie’s marketing director Andy Rush and takes responsibility for brands such as Penguin and Ace. He replaces Andy Cowell, who was promoted to marketing director of United Biscuits China (MW May 3).

At Mars, he reported to European franchise director Paul Jackson and was in charge of marketing on the 200m M&M’s business. The brand was launched in the US in 1941 and went on sale in the UK in 1987, backed by a 7m ad push through Saatchi & Saatchi.

Horgan was at Mars for three years. A Mars spokesman refused to comment on his departure.