McBride’s top job goes to Unilever exec
TOILETRIES manufacturer McBride has appointed a Unilever executive to run the business.
Chris Bull will join the company, which employs around 500 people in Manchester, next month after a 25-year career with Unilever.
McBride makes a range of own-label toiletries and household products for retailers such as Superdrug and Marks & Spencer. Multi-national Unilever also makes own-label products but has an extensive range of international brands including Vaseline and Dove.
McBride, which draws a significant amount of its income from overseas sales, said Mr Bull had “broad experience” in the sector dealing with major global retailers.
“He also has international experience in many of our key European territories. He has been a CEO of sizeable divisions and in his earlier career ran manufacturing operations building on his qualification as a graduate engineer,” said the company in a statement to the stock market.
His most recent position with Unilever was chief customer officer. From 2003-07 he was chief executive of the group’s Poland and Baltics business. He replaces Miles Roberts who leaves at the end of the month.
Chairman Iain Napier said “we are delighted to welcome Chris to McBride, and his experience in business to business customer relationships marketing and a unique mixture of branded and private label will be of enormous benefit to our company.”
As well as its Manchester plant McBride also runs facilities in Barrow, St Helens and Burnley, and has sites in Yorkshire at Bradford and Hull. During the six months to December 31 revenue rose 5% to £412m while pre-tax profits jumped from £5m to £22.5m.
