Name: Christian Cull

Was: Marketing director for Waitrose

Now: Corporate communications director for Vodafone UK

Years in grocery: six


Career background: Cull started off at none other than The Grocer, working as special projects editor for two years. His next move was in PR as account director at Nexus and then associate director for Holmes & Marchant Counsel before joining Waitrose in 2001. He stayed at the supermarket chain for the next six years as head of press, PR and publications and then marketing director.

What is he doing now? Cull left Waitrose in 2007 to take up the role of director of customer communications at BSkyB. He then moved on to head communications for holiday group TUI UK & Ireland. This July, he was named as the new corporate communications director for mobile communications giant Vodafone UK.

Biggest achievements in grocery: As marketing director at Waitrose, Cull was praised for a TV advertising campaign that brought Waitrose staff and suppliers to the forefront of the retailer. The first two ads broke in March 2008 and were the first to highlight the partnership structure and ownership of the supermarket. Cull said at the time: “The new campaign uses Waitrose’s point of difference to illustrate just what motivates us to source the best quality products, offered alongside great customer service and in-store atmosphere.” The ads were followed by a second campaign two months later focusing on the supermarket’s relationship with its suppliers.

What next? Cull had a great grounding at The Grocer and although he has been out of the sector for some time, with a string of high-profile communications directorships under his belt, there’s every chance he could return to grocery.