Former KP Snacks and Cadbury boss Nick Bunker is to lead McVitie’s owner Pladis in the UK.

Pladis said the appointment of Bunker followed the decision of current Pladis UK & Ireland MD Jon Eggleton to “step down from his role to pursue new opportunities outside of Pladis”.

Eggleton had led the business, which includes former United Biscuit brands McVitie’s and Jacob’s, for 14 years. United Biscuits became part of the Pladis operation following its acquisition by Yildiz Holdings in 2014.

Pladis global CEO Cem Karakas thanked Eggleton for his “strong contribution and deep commitment to Pladis and our brands”.

“During his tenure, we have successfully integrated the former United Biscuits business into the newly created Pladis organisation and built a strong foundation for continued growth in our core UK and Ireland region and beyond," he added.

Bunker, who takes up the new role on Monday (6 November), was most recently CEO of KP Snacks, which was previously part of United Biscuits and was sold to German snacking giant Intersnack five years ago.

Pladis said Bunker had led the “re-structuring of the business and the revitalisation of the brand portfolio through innovation, marketing and reducing complexity”.

Before joining KP Snacks, Bunker held senior roles at Kraft including managing director of Kraft Foods Gulf Cooperation Council GCC region, and managing director of Kraft Foods Czech and Slovak Republics.

He was also president of Kraft Foods and Cadbury UK/Ireland, where he led the integration of the Kraft and Cadbury businesses.

Bunker said he had “long admired” Pladis’ brand portfolio: “I am looking forward to working with the whole Pladis team to continue to develop the business and the outstanding opportunities ahead."

Karakas described Bunker as a “highly experienced and talented executive”.