Mars Pet Nutrition appoints two GMs
Mars has appointed two new general managers for its petcare business.
Nick Foster, previously general manager Royal Canin UK & Ireland, has been appointed general manager of Mars Pet Nutrition UK, Ireland and Nordics.
Foster served as GM for Royal Canin for three years, during which time he spearheaded a digital acceleration programme, developing the capabilities of the team, building digital platforms and accelerating growth with eCommerce partners.
He is an alumnus of the graduate programme at Mars, which he joined in 2006, initially with Mars Food, before moving to the petcare business in 2008.
During his previous tenure at Mars Pet Nutrition, he worked across a number of different functions, taking on three different director roles on the UK leadership team, including marketing and category and interim sales director.
“After my time with the incredibly talented team at Royal Canin, I’m very excited to be returning to lead Mars Pet Nutrition as General Manager UK, Ireland and Nordics,” Foster commented.
“Having started my career at Mars on our graduate programme almost 20 years’ ago, it’s a privilege to lead this business into its next chapter, continue to deliver our purpose: ‘A better world for pets’, and to serve a new generation of pet parents 90 years after Mars started its journey in the pet care category in the UK.”
Meanwhile James McGrath, previously Royal Canin Nordics general manager, has expanded his responsibilities to include Royal Canin UK and Ireland.
Since joining the graduate programme at Mars in 2009, McGrath has built broad experience across supply chain, marketing, and sales. His journey has taken him through various leadership roles, including marketing director for multisales central Europe and general manager for Mars multisales Sweden.
He joined Royal Canin in September 2024 as GM for the Nordics.
McGrath said: “Having spent the last nine years working across different parts of Europe, it feels meaningful to take on a general manager role in the unit where I started – and it’s testament to the investment and support that Mars offers.
“The UK & Ireland team is hugely passionate about the pets we serve, and I’m looking forward to playing a role in the business’ exciting growth journey.”
Oddlygood secures ex-Innocent marketing lead
Elsewhere, Rude Health parent company Oddlygood Group has bolstered its senior leadership team with the appointment of a new head of marketing.
Katie Simpson, who takes on the role, brings more than 20 years of marketing experience across major FMCG businesses, including Diageo, AB InBev and Ferrero, and most recently as head of UK & Ireland marketing at Innocent Drinks.
During her time at Innocent, she played a key role in the leadership team that drove the brand to the number one position in chilled juice for the first time in its history.
In her new role, Simpson will work closely with global CMO Nina Gillsvik, and Sam Maguire, who has been promoted from UK & Ireland head of marketing to UK country manager. Together, they’ll shape ambitious long-term growth plans for the company – driving category growth with a focus on quality, innovation, and brand differentiation.
Simpson’s appointment comes as Rude Health is outpacing the plant-based drinks category, with 21.7% year-on-year growth, and aims to build on this momentum.
The company, which was founded in 2005, was acquired by Oddlygood in 2024 - a leading player in the Nordic plant-based market - with the ambition of growing both brands and becoming Europe’s leading plant-based challenger.
In six years, Oddlygood has grown to a turnover of nearly €50 million, with a portfolio of dairy alternatives including plant-based milk, cheese, yoghurts, desserts and cooking products.
“We’re excited to welcome Katie at such a transformative time for the company. Her diverse expertise will be instrumental as we continue to grow and innovate,” said Gillsvik.
Simpson added: “Rude Health’s UK success and Oddlygood’s rapid growth in the Nordics speak volumes about the passion and quality of both brands. Their ambition for the UK and Europe is infectious.
“This is a pivotal moment – and a real opportunity to connect more deeply with consumers to accelerate their impact.”
