Senior leaders on the move - Easyjet, Primark, and more
As the recruitment market for marketing and digital roles continues to move at pace, we are delighted to congratulate the following senior leaders on their new roles and their many years of valuable experience, transforming brands and creatively disrupting their sectors.
A recent study of CMOs found that external hires increased from 37% in 2020 to 45% in 2021, and we can vouch for a further increase in 2022. It is an exciting time for our clients and candidates as they move towards a bright and innovative future.
Robert Birge joins EasyJet as Chief Customer and Marketing Officer
This new appointment will reinstate the CMO role after its removal in 2020. Robert’s role at EasyJet will cover marketing, digital, customer service, customer experience and insight – also sitting on the airline’s management board. At ASOS, Robert oversaw the successful delivery of marketing, the end-to-end customer experience, and data insight for the company.
Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, said: "Robert brings with him a wealth of experience from a range of travel and consumer brands. Continually innovating how we deliver our unique easyJet customer experience is a key focus area for the airline and so we look forward to welcoming Robert to the airline later this month."
LinkedIn profile: (27) Robert Birge | LinkedIn
News source: EasyJet poaches Asos’s top marketer as it brings back CMO position (marketingweek.com)
Silvia Gorra appointed as VP Marketing EMEA at VidMob
Silvia has joined VidMob as VP Marketing EMEA, after five years at Magnite as VP International Marketing. At VidMob, the world’s leading platform for Intelligent Creative, Silvia will lead VidMob’s marketing strategy and execution across EMEA, building brand awareness for VidMob throughout the region.
Andrea Ward, Chief Marketing Officer, VidMob, says: “VidMob is quickly becoming the industry standard for data-driven marketers that want their creative to drive better marketing, and ultimately business, results. With Silvia’s vast knowledge and experience in marketing for rapidly growing technology companies, Silvia is the perfect candidate to lead VidMob’s EMEA marketing strategy. We’re thrilled to have her on board.”
LinkedIn profile: (27) Silvia Gorra | LinkedIn
Claire Hooper joins Calbee Group UK Ltd as Marketing Director
After eight years as Head of Marketing at Cake and 18 months as Head of Brand at Valeo Foods UK, Claire will be taking on the role of Marketing Director at Calbee Group UK Ltd. In this role, Claire will be responsible for leading and implementing all marketing strategy and activation from the Seabrook owner’s Bradford headquarters.
Daniel Woodwards, Managing Director, Calbee UK, says, “The appointment of Claire into the role of marketing director recognises our further ambitions for our brands and we are delighted to have someone of her calibre and experience on board.”
LinkedIn profile: (29) Claire Hooper | LinkedIn
News source: Calbee UK appoints Claire Hooper as marketing director | News | The Grocer
Fiona McArthur is moving to a new role at Dentsu Creative
Fiona has been appointed as Chief Growth Officer at Denstu Creative after joining Dentsu International as Chief Growth Officer EMEA in October 2021. Fiona’s agency experience includes nine years at Adam and Eve and ten years at DDB. In her new position, Fiona will lead the growth strategy across the region.
James Morris, UK CEO, Dentsu, says, “This is a powerhouse of a team. Ambitious, entrepreneurial, and modern creative leaders, equally brilliant with our clients and our people. I have no doubt that together we will harness our potential in EMEA and build the number one creative network in the region.”
LinkedIn profile: (27) Fiona McArthur | LinkedIn
Michelle McEttrick to join Primark as Chief Customer Officer
Following her departure from Tesco after five years, Michelle will join Primark in a newly created position of Chief Customer Officer. Her experience includes Group Brand Director at Tesco and senior roles at Barclays and Bartle Bogle Hegarty. In her new role at Primark, Michelle will be responsible for marketing and customer communications, as well as customer insight and the retailer’s sustainability strategy.
Paul Marchant, Chief Executive, Primark, says, “Michelle brings a broad set of skills and experience that I believe will be invaluable as we grow the Primark brand for the future. I’m delighted to welcome her to the team.”
LinkedIn profile: (27) Michelle McEttrick | LinkedIn
Source: Primark appoints ex-Tesco exec as first chief customer officer | News | Retail Week (retail-week.com)
Jessica Myers moves to The Very Group as Chief Marketing Officer
Jessica will be moving from her position as Brand and Marketing Director at Metro Bank to The Very Group, owner of brands Very and Littlewoods, as their new Chief Marketing Officer. her move to retail follows a career with high profile financial brands including NatWest, American Express and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. At The Very Group, she will be responsible for leading brand, marketing, PR and creative across the group, as well as bolstering its digital position.
Robbie Feather, Managing Director (Retail), The Very Group, says that Jessica is a “thoughtful, commercial and impactful marketer and leader, with deep consumer experience.”
“She’s exactly the right person to lead our marketing team at a time when UK families are increasingly on the lookout for the convenience, flexibility and value Very provides,” he adds.
LinkedIn profile: LinkedIn Jessica Myers
Source: Very names Metro Bank’s Jessica Myers CMO (marketingweek.com)
We wish these senior leaders the very best for the future. If you feel ready to move towards the next stage in your career, please get in touch or connect with us/send a message on LinkedIn.
Warmest regards,
the Suzie Walker Executive Search team
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for marketing and digital roles in consumer-facing FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
