Lipton Teas & Infusions (LT&I) has appointed Jonny Briscoe as its new UK & Ireland general manager.
Briscoe replaces Liam McNamara, the trusted long-term lieutenant of former LT&I CEO Nathalie Roos, who left the tea giant last year.
Roos’ replacement is yet to be announced by LT&I and no reason was given for McNamara’s departure. He has, however, exited the LT&I business, The Grocer understands.
Briscoe joins the PG Tips and Pukka Herbs brand owner from Perfetti Van Melle, where he headed up the confectionery and chewing gum manufacturer’s UK business.
Prior to this, he was MD for northern Europe at Mondelez International. He began his career at Procter & Gamble, where he worked for nine years, ultimately rising to commercial director.
He will be tasked with continuing turnaround efforts on LT&I’s two largest brands in the UK and Ireland. Sales of PG Tips declined by £15.1m on volumes down 37.8% last year, according to The Grocer’s Top Products Survey [NIQ 52 we 7 September 2024], while Pukka Herbs saw sales decline £2.6m on volumes down 29%.
PG Tips unveiled a four-strong PG Tips Special Blends range in November as part of its bid to win back shoppers, and volume declines have since slowed, declining by 26% in the 52 weeks ended 28 December [NIQ].
Pukka, meanwhile, revamped its herbal tea range with five “reimagined” blends last month.
Briscoe had “experience leading teams across multiple channels” and a “track record in driving growth and innovation” that aligned “perfectly” with LT&I’s vision, said Kenneth Campbell, LT&I’s president for Europe & Americas.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Jonny as our new UK & Ireland general manager and look forward to the fresh perspectives he’ll bring to our iconic tea brands,” he added.
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