Nestlé shakes up comms as Hudson era nears end

Alex Black, PR Week UK, Thursday, 03 November 2005, 12:00am,

Nestlé’s corporate affairs and communications director David Hudson is retiring at the end of the year after 31 years with the firm. His exit has prompted the world’s biggest food and drink company to split its top UK comms role.

Jon Walsh, previously marketing director of Nestlé UK & Ireland's food services division, took overall charge of corporate marketing and communications this week.

He will also take responsibility for the company's 'strategic wellness unit' – set up to position Nestlé as a 'nutrition, health and wellness company'.

Head of internal communications and CSR Ian Rayson has taken charge of corporate affairs alongside his current role.

Walsh and Rayson both report to Nestlé UK & Ireland CEO Alastair Sykes. They will work alongside Hudson until he leaves the post he has held for the past ten years in December.

Last month Nestlé reported that it expected to meet its sales targets – suggesting it had coped better with high global commodity prices than rivals Danone and Cadbury Schweppes.