Mars has appointed Blas Maquivar as president of its UK chocolate and global retail business.

Maquivar, who will take up the role in January, moves across from his current role of regional president for the Mars Latin American chocolate business.

In his new role, he will run the confectionery giant’s UK chocolate business, and its global M&M’s World Stores and International Travel Retail division.

Maquivar joined Mars in 2010 as the general manager of Mars Chocolate Mexico. In early 2012 he was made regional president for the chocolate business in Latin America. Prior to Mars, he worked for Procter & Gamble, Microsoft and PepsiCo.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work in such a dynamic market as the UK,” said Maquivar, who will relocate to the UK with his family.

“I look forward to working with the brilliant team in Slough to continue to deliver for our consumers and customers.”

Maquivar’s move follows the promotion of Fiona Dawson to global president for Mars Food, announced in September. Dawson, who also takes up her new role in January, said at the time of her promotion: “The UK food industry is one of the best in the world, and I’ve had the most incredible nine years in our chocolate business.”

Dawson has been at Mars since joining as a graduate in 1988, ­working across a variety of European roles for the company before becoming head of the UK chocolate business in 2005.

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