Nick Bunker, the head of Kraft Foods' businesses in the UK and Ireland, is to become CEO of United Biscuits recently-separated snacks unit.
United Biscuits said today (6 August) Bunker would become chief executive of KP Snacks on 1 September.
Signs that United Biscuits could be split in two emerged in March when the company told just-food it was creating two business units within its UK structure, a move seen as a potential pre-cursor for the break-up of the company.
Earlier that month, sources had told just-food the move was being considered as a way of "realising more value" for owners Blackstone and PAI Partners, which had put United Biscuits up for sale in 2010 but failed to find a buyer.
According to reports last month, the private-equity firms plan to start the process to sell the UK firm's salty snacks business after the summer.
Bunker's appointment will see him rejoin United Biscuits. He worked for the company's international division in the 1990s. After a stint at retail and services group Inchcape, he joined Kraft in 2000. He worked for Kraft's businesses in the UAE, the Czech Republic and Slovakia before moving to head its UK arm in 2008.
Click here for just-food's analysis of Bunker's move to UB.
Show the press release
PRESS RELEASE: Chief Executive Officer, KP Snacks
United Biscuits (UB) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chief Executive to head up its recently separated snacks business, which is to be re-named KP Snacks. The snacks business is the second largest bagged snack company in the UK and has shown consistent top and bottom line growth for the last five years. This product category remains dynamic, currently growing at 6% per annum, and the UB Board see substantial growth opportunities both in the UK and Internationally. The new CEO, together with the recently appointed dedicated management team will provide the focus to move this business to its next level.
With household brand favourites such as McCoy's, Hula Hoops, KP Nuts and Skips, together with a range of other well known brands ripe for development, such as Phileas Fogg, Space Raiders, Nik Naks and Wheat Crunchies; UB is convinced that there is great potential for the business.
To head up the KP Snacks operation UB has appointed Nick Bunker as the new Chief Executive. Mr Bunker joins the UB Group with effect from 1 September from Kraft, where he is currently President Kraft Foods UK/Ireland.
Mr Bunker has been running the Kraft and Cadbury business in the UK and Ireland for the last four years with a current turnover of over £2 billion. Mr Bunker has been pivotal in the successful integration of Cadbury to Kraft and has a track record of growing and developing various business operations.
Mr Bunker began his career with Mars Confectionery, and then worked with United Biscuits' International Division and Terry's of York. He then joined Inchcape plc to manage various retail and distribution businesses in the Middle East before joining Kraft in 2000. Prior to his current role he's led Kraft businesses in the Middle East and the Czech Republic and Slovakia. He is currently chair of the Food & Drink Federation's Sustainability Steering Group.
David Fish, Non-Exec Chairman of UB, said, "Nick brings a wealth of experience to the new role as CEO of KP Snacks. We are very pleased he has decided to join our team and look forward to his leadership as we continue to grow the business and capture more opportunities in this dynamic product category."
Mr Bunker said, "KP Snacks is an excellent organisation with great products and a strong team. I am delighted to be offered the chance to lead the Snacks business, which contains some of the best known household names in the category. I look forward to building on the company's success with these brands."
