LONDON — Nick Bunker has been named chief executive officer of KP Snacks, the recently renamed snacks business of United Biscuits. Mr. Bunker most recently was president of Kraft Foods U.K. and Ireland.
The KP Snacks business is the second largest bagged snack company in the United Kingdom. It includes such brands as McCoy's, Hula Hoops, KP Nuts and Skips.
Mr. Bunker has been in charge of the Kraft and Cadbury business in the United Kingdom and Ireland for the past four years. Earlier he led Kraft businesses in the Middle East, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Prior to joining Kraft in 2000 he was with Inchcape P.L.C., and earlier worked with U.B.’s international division and Terry’s of York. He began his career with Mars Confectionery.
“Nick brings a wealth of experience to the new role as c.e.o. of KP Snacks,” said David Fish, non-executive chairman of U.B. “We are very pleased he has decided to join our team and look forward to his leadership as we continue to grow the business and capture more opportunities in this dynamic product category.”
In mid-March, Blackstone Group L.P. and PAI Partners, the private-equity owners of United Biscuits, appointed Credit Suisse to separate the food company’s salty snack business from its other operations, according to an article in The Wall Street Journal. The separation occurred in April and the equity owners are in the process of looking for a buyer for U.B.