Premier Foods has promoted Yilmaz Erceyes to the role of UK marketing director. 

Erceyes, who joined Premier in 2015 after 13 years with Procter & Gamble, where he held both UK and international roles, is currently brand director for the cooking sauces and desserts categories.

Helen Warren-Piper – who currently holds the position – will join Mars as sales director of its UK Pet Nutrition division in April 2018.

Once in the new role, Erceyes will take responsibility for a 120-strong team that spans brand management, innovation, insights and R&D.

“We are delighted to be able to promote Yilmaz into this key role,” said Alex Whitehouse, managing director, UK at Premier Foods. “His strong strategic capabilities, leadership experience and entrepreneurial spirit make him a perfect fit. Yilmaz has demonstrated a strong track record in contemporising our portfolio of loved British brands, making them more relevant to today’s consumers through programmes of insightful, consumer-focused new product development.”

Whitehouse added that Erceyes was “instrumental” in the turnaround of the Batchelors brand and building the partnership with Nissin Foods.

“I am particularly delighted to be promoting to this senior role from within the business, which is a great illustration of the strength of our talent pipeline,” Whitehouse added.