Jaffa Cakes and McVitie’s Digestives maker Pladis has appointed a new boss in the UK to take over from Jon Eggleton, who is leaving the company after 14 years to “pursue new opportunities”.
Nick Bunker will take up the role of managing director for the UK & Ireland region from Monday (6 November 2017).
Bunker was CEO at KP Snacks for more than five years from 2012, when the snacking group was still part of United Biscuits. He led a restructuring of the Hula Hoops and Skips maker when it became part of Intersnack following a £500m takeover
Prior to that Bunker spent 12 years in senior management roles with US food giant Kraft, including MD in the Czech and Slovak Republics and president of Kraft Foods in the UK & Ireland, leading the integration of the Cadbury business after the controversial deal in 2010.
“I am thrilled to be joining Pladis as I have long admired its portfolio of high-quality and well-loved brands, strong market positions and entrepreneurial spirit,” Bunker said.
“I am looking forward to working with the whole Pladis team to continue to develop the business and the outstanding opportunities ahead.”
Bunker will be based in the Pladis UK head office in Hayes and will push the strategy to accelerate growth in the core McVitie’s, Jacob’s, Go Ahead! and Godiva brands alongside continued expansion across the adjacent snacking categories of cake, baked snacks and confectionery, the group added.
Pladis global CEO Cem Karakas said: “On behalf of the whole Pladis team, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jon Eggleton for his strong contribution and deep commitment to Pladis and our brands. During his tenure, we have successfully integrated the former United Biscuits business into the newly created Pladis organisation and built a strong foundation for continued growth in our core UK and Ireland region and beyond.”
Karakas added: “The UK&I is one of our most important markets and I am delighted to welcome Nick Bunker into the business. He is a highly experienced and talented executive who will ensure we achieve on our potential and continue to build upon the wonderful heritage and future opportunities for our delicious brands such as McVitie’s, Jacob’s, Go Ahead!, Carr’s and Godiva.”
Pladis has operations in 130 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas, operating 34 factories, employing 26,000 staff and generating annual revenues of £2.2bn.
The group, owned by Yildiz Holding, was established in 2016 when United Biscuits, Ulker, Godiva Chocolatier and DeMet’s Candy Company combined into one global business.
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