Wermann will join Home Retail Group in February 2011, taking on the newly created role of director of corporate affairs.
He makes the move after six years as Kellogg’s regional director of corporate affairs, Europe – a role that has put him at the forefront of the public health debate in the UK.
In particular, Wermann has helped Kellogg’s to lead the food industry’s successful fight against 'traffic light' warning labels to help consumers identify unhealthy products.
In recent years, the cereal giant has joined forces with firms such as Tesco and PepsiCo to lobby heavily against the scheme, which is supported by the Food Standards Agency and consumer groups.
In the new role, Wermann will be responsible for an in-house team of 12 and will manage the group’s external PR agencies including Finsbury and Iris PR in the UK, and Wilson Hartnell PR in the Republic of Ireland.
Wermann takes on the role following the departure of Steve O’Brien after six and a half years with the company. A spokesman said O’Brien plans to take a short career break to go travelling.
Before joining Kellogg's in 2004, Wermann was director of comms EMEA for Avis Europe. He is also a former deputy director of group comms at Royal Bank of Scotland.
Photo: Emilie Fjola Sandy
