Müller Dairy UK is on the hunt for a marketing chief after Chris McDonough was this week named as the new marketing director of Molson Coors UK.

McDonough, who will join the drinks company in May, was a highly influential member of Müller’s management team, having held the role of marketing and R&D director, and general manager for Ireland, for the past five years. He is credited with the relaunches of Müllerlight and Müllerice and launch of the Müller Little Stars brand.

“Chris has shaped and driven the commercial brand agenda, delivering excellent results for the business,” said Müller Dairy CEO Gharry Eccles.

“He has led the transformation of our business in Ireland where Müller is now the fastest-growing supplier and close to achieving the number two position in the market.”

McDonough, who has also worked for Bacardi and Mars, replaces Simon Davies, who left last September to start his own consultancy firm.

“I am delighted to be joining a company with the international pedigree of Molson Coors,” said McDonough.

“With a leadership team so committed to building people and brands, it ­represents another exciting ­opportunity for me in my career.”

Molson Coors CEO Mark Hunter said: “Filling one of the highest-profile marketing roles in the UK was never going to be easy, but after an extensive search we knew we had found the right person and are delighted to welcome someone of Chris’s calibre to join the UK board.”