Amanda Sourry, Chairman, Unilever UK 41 (53)
Unilever’s strong international performance has been supported by solid execution at a local level, with strong NPD in ice cream and personal care, and inspired marketing for Marmite and Lynx. But it’s not all been easy for Sourry. After a 12-day strike was resolved, a major shake-up of the group’s UK-based manufacturing and distribution will see 800 jobs go, and many support roles move overseas
Simon Baldry, MD, CCE 42 (19)
Baldry promised Coke’s Olympic sponsorship would “turbocharge the entire drinks sector”. In the event, Coke’s sales fell flat, as vicious price cuts on Pepsi fell on its already rain-soaked parade. CCE started 2013 by announcing plans to make 5% of its UK staff redundant, and it came out all guns blazing on the promotions front, but it’s also innovating, with new formats, PMPs and even personalised Coke bottles
Luke Johnson, Chairman, Risk Capital Partners 43
He’s just sold the Giraffe restaurant, but if other supermarkets want to follow Tesco’s lead in perking up their big, out-of-town stores, there are plenty more investments where that came from for this serial entrepreneur and private equity investor, including Gail’s/The Bread Factory; Patisserie Valerie; Seafood Holdings; and numerous restaurant concepts, including Feng Sushi and Rocket Restaurants
Jim McCarthy, CEO, Poundland 44 (48)
Under the stewardship of the affable McCarthy, more major suppliers are tailoring their brand formats for Poundland, helping the variety discounter record sales and profits growth in excess of 20% last year. Poundland recently cut prices in some stores to 97p to fight off the threat of rival discounters. It shows what a tough, no-nonsense competitor Poundland has become.
Simon Litherland, CEO, Britvic 45
Britvic’s new plan to secure £30m of cost savings by 2016 shows Simon Litherland - bumped up from MD following the departure of Paul Moody -is a force to be reckoned with. Along with the 51% hike in half-year profits reported this week, the plan puts him in a strong position, if the Competition Commission gives the green light to the lapsed merger with AG Barr, to seek better terms for Britvic shareholders
Irwin Lee, UK MD, P&G 46 (41)
Out-innovated by Unilever and undercut by own label, Procter & Gamble has lost overall share in the household category over the last 12 months. Despite a complete overhaul of Pantene in 2012, the brand continues to struggle. But it’s not all doom and gloom for Lee. Oral-B is cleaning up after its move into toothpaste and Head & Shoulders and Gillette aren’t in bad shape, either.
Ben Clarke, CEO, Burton’s Biscuit Co 47 (47)
Clarke realises the potential of overseas markets, having worked abroad as a Kraft executive. This year he has built on the big supply deals with North American retail giants Loblaws and Walmart, which were secured in 2011, by successfully relaunching Wagon Wheels in Russia - the brand has notched up about £5m sales in 12 months. The success overseas helped Burton’s Biscuits grow sales 6% in 2012.
David Salkeld, CEO, Syminton’s 48 (50)
Salkeld has a big appetite and even after snapping up Ragu and Chicken Tonight from Unilever in 2011, it wasn’t sated. Weeks after winning the backing of private equity house Immediate Capital Group last June, Symington’s bought home-baking player Victoria Foods. In its first international push, Chicken Tonight, Raguletto and Five Brothers were licensed Down Under this month.
Patrick Coveney, CEO, Greencore 49 (55)
An undisputed giant on this side of the pond, now - after Greencore’s 2012 buyout of US-based Market Fare Foods and its new US sandwich supply deal with Starbucks - Coveney’s star is rising on the other side of the pond, too. With the fallout from the horsemeat scandal continuing to rumble on, the US seems as good a place as any for a convenience food manufacturer to seek future expansion.
Alex Gourlay, CEO, health & beauty, Boots 50 (31)
It’s all change for Boots: with Walgreens taking a 45% stake, Gourlay can now sell his iconic brands on a global scale. Meanwhile, he is working to create a more entrepreneurial culture. Aborting a reciprocal tie-up with Waitrose, Gourlay’s revamped senior team introduced a Jamie Oliver food-to-go range, relaunched its Shapers and Delicious offers, and is also trialling a range of ready meals
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