Heineken Exec to Refresh Sainsbury's Marketing

UK supermarket Sainsbury's has finally filled the vacant role of Marketing Director, appointing Heineken's UK Marketing Director and former Innovation Director Sarah Warby.

Warby now takes overall responsibility for Sainsbury's customer insights and loyalty work in addition to brand communications and non-food marketing, with charge of around 100 marketing staff, and will sit on the firm's operating board.

The role has been empty for around a year: Mastercard's Mark Horgan was due to fill it in August but did not take up the appointment, with 'personal reasons' cited. Although enjoying a good year against rivals including market leader Tesco, Sainsbury's has lost a number of its senior marketers of late. Head of non-food marketing Rebecca Singleton went to Morrisons earlier in 2011; Head of Marketing Operations and Media Jenny Bullis left in the late summer to join ITV and next month will see the departure of Brand Director Claire Harrison-Church.

Sainsbury's Group Commercial Director Mike Coupe, to whom she will report, comments: 'Sarah played a huge role in Heineken's UK success and has a great track record and reputation. Her wealth of experience will further strengthen our excellent team at an exciting time for the business.'

Web site: www.sainsburys.co.uk .