News
Senior appointments: Mars Pet Nutrition and UK Flour Millers
Helen Warren-Piper, formerly chief growth officer for Europe for Mars Pet Nutrition, has been promoted to global vice-president, strategic initiatives for the company.
Prior to her role as chief growth officer, Warren-Piper served as general manager of the UK Pet Nutrition Business. She will continue to be based in the UK and will report to Mars Pet Nutrition global president Ikdeep Singh.
Mars Pet Nutrition also announced that Melodie Nye, formerly Mars global innovation lead with more than 10 years’ experience in the company, will replace Warren-Piper as chief growth officer in Europe.
Transformation and growth
Commenting on the appointments, Mars Pet Nutrition regional president Europe Deri Watkins, said: “I’d first like to thank Helen – her vision helped us transform our growth organisation in Europe. She set up a Digital Marketing Centre of Excellence, which created our first digital-first growth strategy to add value to our brands through innovation, sustainability, and purpose.
“As a manufacturer, ensuring our much-loved brands stay front and centre is essential in Europe’s competitive marketplace, so we are thrilled to have Melodie join the team.
“She is a bold, purpose-driven leader committed to ensuring our brands deliver for pet parents. Families’ expectations for what to feed their pets and how they choose to shop is continually evolving so her background in innovation means she truly understands what’s needed as we look ahead to the next few years.”
UK Flour Millers
This week also saw UK Flour Millers elect Hovis procurement director Gary Sharkey as its new president.
A veteran of the grain business and former president of the European Flour Millers Association, Sharkey accepted his nomination at the group’s annual meeting in Cambridge.
He said: “I am delighted to take on the role of leading an industry that plays a crucial part in the UK’s food supply. The industry that delivers this, and the chain of which it is part, is a critical part of our food infrastructure.”
Sharkey also paid tribute to his predecessor Roger Butler, chair of Whitworth Brothers, who led the industry for three years through the triple whammy of Brexit, Covid and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Roger did a tremendous job, making sure that our industry’s voice was heard through these tumultuous events,” Sharkey added. “I look forward to carrying on this work as we face into continuing volatility on energy and commodity markets, a much higher cost base and the long-term sustainability challenge.”
