E-Malt.com News article: 1956

UK: Scottish & Newcastle announced on December 19 that it had made two senior appointments to its Executive Management Group. Dr Rob Sidoli (50) has been appointed Group Operations Director, he joins from JohnsonDiversey in the Netherlands. Gary Guthrie (39) has been appointed Group Marketing Director, he joins from Kodak in Switzerland.
The appointment of Simon Ricketts (48) as Group Information Services Director was announced on 2 December 2003.

Tony Froggatt, S&N Chief Executive, commented: “The appointment of three new functional directors will strengthen S&N’s senior management team. I am delighted that S&N has recruited individuals of such high calibre and international experience. All three will be in place in the New Year and will make an important contribution to the performance of the group.”

As Group Operations Director, Dr Rob Sidoli will be responsible for integrating and managing the group’s international brewing, manufacturing and supply chain operations. He will play a key role in delivering the group’s strategy of developing an integrated international production and supply chain. The integration of Operations will deliver greater synergies in procurement and brewing technology, ensuring that all parts of the business operate to the highest international standards. Rob is currently Senior Vice-President, Global Supply Chain for JohnsonDiversey based in the Netherlands, where he has been responsible for the successful integration covering more than 50 countries of the Johnson Wax Professional and DiverseyLever cleaning services businesses. Prior to that role he held a number of senior positions at Unilever covering all aspects of productions, packaging, logistics and total supply chain management. He has worked in the UK, Netherlands, Paris, Milan and South East Asia. Rob will join Scottish & Newcastle in January 2004.

As Group Marketing Director, Gary will be responsible for managing, developing and integrating marketing activity across the business. Gary will have a key role in delivering the group’s strategy of developing the business by focusing on the customer and consumer and investing further in brands and innovation. A key task will be managing the allocation of funds to optimise the investment behind brands with the potential to drive value in the business. S&N has three of the top ten beer brands in Europe, in Baltika, Kronenbourg and Foster’s. In addition to these key international equities, the group has a strong portfolio of leading national and regional brands. Gary is currently General Manager, Marketing – Europe, Middle East and Africa for Kodak, based in Geneva. At Kodak, he was responsible for managing the integration and development of a 200 plus marketing function. In addition, he has been actively involved in the areas of new product development and innovation throughout his career. Prior to that role he held a number of senior European marketing positions with Colgate Palmolive and Pepsi Cola. Gary has worked in the UK, Hungary, Switzerland and Australia. Gary will join Scottish & Newcastle in March 2004.

On 2 December 2003 S&N announced the appointment of Simon Ricketts as Group Information Services Director. Simon will be responsible for the establishment of a group wide information systems strategy and managing the harmonisation of key business processes. Simon was previously Chief Information Officer with Cadbury Schweppes plc, where he was largely responsible for developing and implementing a global information system strategy. He has also held senior roles with British Steel plc and Itnet plc.


23 December, 2003