Nestlé has appointed a new chief executive for its UK & Ireland business to succeed the departing Alastair Sykes.

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Paul Grimwood, currently managing director of Nestlé Confectionery (UK), will succeed Sykes as chief executive of Nestlé UK & Ireland on 1 January next year.


After seven years as chairman and chief executive, Sykes announced he will stand down from his position at the end of 2008. This also coincides with the completion of his term as president of IGD, the trade organisation for the food and grocery industry.


Sykes will continue to serve as non-executive chairman of Nestlé UK & Ireland until the end of 2009 to provide continuity and support.


Grimwood held the previous position of managing director of Nestlé’s UK Petcare business.  After a period at the company’s head office in Switzerland, he returned to the UK to head the confectionery business. 

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David Rennie, currently marketing director of Nestlé Confectionery (UK), will succeed Grimwood.

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