Unilever picks homecare global marketing chief

Unilever has appointed a marketing chief with global responsibilities for homecare.

Senior vice-president brand development for home and personal care in North America Randy Quinn moves to London to take hands-on responsibility for Unilever’s global homecare operation. Quinn will report to Keith Weed, who was recently promoted to group vice-president for homecare (MW March 24). Simon Clift, global chief marketer for Unilever personal and homecare, is to become senior vice-president of global personal care and will also report to Weed.

The move continues the packaged goods company’s “simplification” strategy, designed to make the company’s structure more like that of rival household giant Procter & Gamble. Earlier this year, chief executive Patrick Cescau scrapped Unilever’s two separate divisions – health and personal care, and food – to streamline operations at the company.

However, observers in the industry say that the strategy has failed and only served to confuse and unsettle staff. One insider says that “significant people are still wondering where they are going” as part of the reorganisation. He also claims that the confusion could lead to delays in marketing initiatives, because key marketers are not in place to take the necessary decisions.

Unilever denies that the restructure has caused problems and delays, with a spokeswoman saying that the company remains committed to its goals.