Essity makes trio of strategic senior appointments for UK and ROI

Essity, the leading global hygiene and health company which supplies products from brands including TENA, Tork, Cushelle and Bodyform, has made three senior appointments in the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI). The strategic hires will help Essity to drive further growth across the region.

Olivia Slater has been appointed to the role of commercial director for the company’s UK and ROI professional hygiene business unit. In her new role, Slater will oversee all commercial decisions for the division across the region. Slater brings over three decades of experience in the packaging and food and beverage industries, including a nine-year tenure as sales director at paper bag manufacturer, Smith Anderson, as well as experience working with FMCG giants such as Unilever, Rank Hovis McDougall, and Heineken.

Olivia’s news follows the recent appointment of Nicola Conway as commercial director for consumer goods in the UK and ROI. With over two decades of commercial experience in the food retail industry, Conway’s previous experience spans senior positions in companies including Iceland Foods, Greencore, and Nomad Foods, where she served as grocery director. Now, she is responsible for sales across all Essity consumer goods brands sold in the region, such as Cushelle, Plenty, and Bodyform.

Kate Prince has also joined Essity as senior public affairs manager for the UK and ROI. With 25 years of experience in PR, public affairs, and sustainability, Prince will be responsible for establishing Essity as a credible contributor in matters of public policy and societal interest. Her appointment follows a 16-year stint at Kellogg’s, where she was responsible for driving social impact and sustainability programs in the UK and Europe.

Kevin Starr, Country Manager UK & ROI at Essity, said: “The recent appointments in the UK and ROI underscore Essity’s commercial ambitions and commitment to creating a positive societal impact. Drawing on decades of experience spanning the food, beverages, packaging, FMCG, manufacturing, and retail industries, Olivia, Nicola, and Kate will bring fresh perspectives and a renewed drive to support Essity’s growth journey in the UK and ROI.”

The trio of appointments demonstrates Essity’s commitment to cultivating a workplace where women can thrive in leadership roles. In 2015, for example, the company founded the Women in Technology program, which has more than doubled the number of female line managers in the IT department since its inception.

www.essity.com