Kellanova appoints Marcella Kain as new UK commercial chief

Snacks to cereal giant Kellanova has announced the appointment of Marcella Kain as its new senior sales director. 

Kain joins the owner of Kellogg’s and Pringles having recently been managing director of Wrexham based Meridian Foods, part of SHS Group. 

With extensive experience across branded and own label food and drink, she’s held senior roles across a variety of FMCG companies from listed to privately owned enterprises.  

She’s served in group operations and UK commercial director roles at Nichols plc, as commercial controller at juice manufacturer Refresco and business unit controller at ice cream company Froneri. She started her career on the graduate scheme at Northern Foods plc. 

Kain’s appointment comes as Kellanova marks its sixth month anniversary as a new snacks-led company, with her arrival tipped to help it deliver against its British growth ambitions. 

“Kellanova may be built on the 100 plus year’s legacy of the Kellogg Company, but we are most definitely charting a new course – one where cereal remains important to us but where most of our future growth lies with snacking”, said Kellanova’s UK and Ireland managing director, Chris Silcock.

 “That’s why I’m privileged to be able to welcome Kain to the team. Not only does she bring significant commercial and FMCG experience, but she brings it from a range of categories and business sizes with different ownership structures. That wealth of deep and diverse perspectives will be incredibly helpful as we seek to expand into new occasions and retail environments.

“Throughout my conversations with Kain, I have been struck by her open style and passion for people.  I look forward to her settling in and helping us deliver against our future growth goals.”

 Kain said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Chris and his leadership team at this very exciting juncture in the Kellanova journey.  I’ve been incredibly impressed by the culture and people I’ve met so far and I’m really looking forward to building on the company’s fantastic success to date whilst we create a future that the heritage of this business can be truly proud of.” 

Originally from Anfield in Liverpool, Kain holds an honours degree in chemical and process engineering from Newcastle University and lives with her family near Wigan, Lancashire. 

Her appointment comes as Kellanova UK’s senior sales director of the past four years, Chris Dallison, has decided to leave the company to pursue a career at another global food business.