Nestlé UK and Ireland has confirmed the appointment of Ben Duncan to its senior leadership team as Managing Director for Food, effective 13 April 2026. Duncan transitions to the role from Nestlé’s pet care division, Purina, where he has spent more than 20 years in various high-level commercial and strategic positions.
In his new capacity, Duncan will be responsible for the strategic direction and operational performance of Nestlé’s food business across the UK and Irish markets. The portfolio under his remit includes staple consumer brands such as Maggi and Carnation.
A Two-Decade Career in Commercial Strategy
Duncan’s appointment reflects Nestlé’s strategy of leveraging internal leadership talent with cross-category experience. Since joining Purina in 2004, Duncan has held senior roles across sales, marketing, and category leadership both in the UK and internationally.
His career milestones include:
International Leadership: Leading sales and marketing for Purina’s specialist channel business in the Netherlands starting in 2011.
Specialist and E-commerce Focus: Returning to the UK in 2015 to lead Purina’s specialist and digital commerce operations during a period of rapid channel shift.
Strategic Revenue Management: Assuming responsibility in 2020 for revenue management and shopper marketing across Northern Europe.
Regional Marketing: Serving most recently as Head of Marketing for Purina’s Northern Region, overseeing brand execution for Felix and Winalot.
Objectives for the Food Division
The transition of a leader from the high-growth pet care segment to the human food division suggests a focus on applying data-driven category management and e-commerce expertise to traditional food brands. Duncan has indicated that his immediate priority will be placing consumer trust and family-centric meal solutions at the centre of the division's operations.
"Our trusted brands play a key role in everyday meals for families across the UK and Ireland," Duncan stated regarding his appointment. He emphasised a commitment to building on existing consumer trust while maintaining a consumer-first operational model.
Leadership Transition
The appointment comes at a time when major food manufacturers are prioritising supply chain resilience and digital transformation within the UK and Ireland. Duncan’s background in strategic revenue management and his experience navigating challenging international markets are positioned as key assets for Nestlé as it manages evolving retail landscapes and inflationary pressures.
The leadership change is effective immediately, with Duncan joining the senior executive team in the UK. His background in economics and extensive experience in the specialist and e-commerce channels are expected to drive innovation in how Nestlé’s food portfolio reaches modern consumers across both digital and physical retail environments.
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