Mars Petcare UK has appointed Walkers marketing head Miranda Sambles as its new marketing director.

Sambles takes over from Gareth Helm, who left Mars Petcare last year and now works as a strategy advisor for Royal Bank of Scotland and as an independent consultant.

Reporting to Mars Petcare MD Mike Gallacher, Sambles will be responsible for the marketing of brands including Pedigree, Whiskas and Sheba.

“The foundations are already in place so I am now looking forward to working with my wider team of colleagues and agencies to develop new campaigns that truly stand out,” said Sambles.

She also has personal reasons for joining the company. “I also happen to be a huge animal lover so will be taking advantage of Mars Petcare’s Pets at Work Policy, which allows me to bring my dog, Lottie, into the office,” she said.

Before joining Mars Petcare, Sambles handled marketing for the Walkers crisps brand at PepsiCo for five years.