neil reynolds

Mars Food sales director Neil Reynolds is set to join Johnson & Johnson as UK commercial director In January.

Earlier this month, The Grocer revealed Reynolds was leaving Mars to take up a new role within the industry and was to be replaced by Denis Murphy.

In his new position, Reynolds will oversee a portfolio of more than 30 brands across health & beauty including Johnson’s Baby, Listerine and Nicorette and will lead J&J’s sales, shopper marketing, commercial strategy and field sales organisations. Reynolds will also join J&J’s Northern European Board.

Reynolds has spent his entire career at Mars having joined in 2007 and has progressed through increasingly senior commercial roles across the business including petcare, food and confectionery, He has been UK sales director for Mars Food since 2012.

“I am delighted to be joining J&J, a company I have long admired from the outside, and am excited by this great next step in my career,” said Reynolds.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with the great portfolio of J&J brands and the UK commercial team to grow category sales with all customers and trade channels.”

He takes over from Matt Roberts, who moves to a newly created role leading J&J’s global shopper and commercial strategy. Roberts has led the J&J’s UK commercial organisation since 2012.

“I am delighted to have Neil join the J&J Northern Europe leadership team and lead our customer organisation in the UK,” said Pat Smallcombe, MD for J&J Northern Europe.

“His reputation in the industry is second to none, being recognised as a smart, high-energy and motivating leader. I have no doubts he will build on Matt’s great work taking our relationship with customers to the next level.”

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