Defying the Downturn - May 2009, Marketing Event 

Jonathan Sands
chairman, Elmwood

Jonathan is Chairman of Elmwood the International brand design consultancy famous for winning more international design effectiveness awards than any other consultancy ever! With offices in Asia, North America and mainland Europe, Jonathan’s work takes him all around the world.

Jonathan is a former Chairman of the Design Business Association (1995 – 97) and a past member of the RSA Council. He has been a council member of the Design Council for the last ten years where he chairs the Design Skills Advisory Panel. Jonathan was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by Huddersfield University in 2002 for his contribution to the design industry.

Richard Hayes
marketing director, Warburtons Limited

Richard Hayes is Marketing Director at Warburtons Limited where he leads the marketing, innovation and customer service teams in developing and delivering the strategy and activity to maintain Warburtons revenue growth and position as Britain’s favourite baker.

Hayes joined Warburtons in April 2007 and during his time there has contributed to value and share growth ahead of its major competitors and its award winning “Welcome to the Family” advertising campaign.

An all rounder who combines general management, sales and category experience with his marketing background, Hayes has a track record of growing brands in mature categories by placing the consumer at the heart of commercial plans.

Prior to joining Warburtons, Hayes accumulated over twenty years FMCG experience in the food and drinks industries, holding UK and international roles at major multinationals including Allied Domecq, Kraft and Nabisco.

Hayes is an ardent ambassador for the North of England and the marketing talent which resides there. He lives in Liverpool with his family where he waits impatiently for the day when Liverpool Football Club to return to their rightful position as champions of the Premier League!

Mark Critchley
UK marketing director, SSL International plc

Mark was recently appointed to the role of UK Marketing Director in September 2008. Prior to this appointment he was the Global Marketing Head for Durex for six years with overall marketing responsibility for the development of the Durex brand, communication and new product development strategy.

In his current role Mark is tasked to move forward the well known brands of Durex and Scholl, both which are market leaders in their respective sexual wellbeing and footcare markets. Mark's early career in SSL included regional marketing responsibility in Central and Eastern Europe for three years.

Prior to SSL, Mark spent three years will Princes Foods in various marketing and planning roles. Mark has also been recently appointed Chairman of Marketing Society in the North.

Matthew Parry
marketing manger, Procter & Gamble

Matt has worked for P&G for nearly 10 years in a variety of different roles around the world. Having worked for 5 years in traditional “brand management” roles on Ariel, Lenor and Febreeze in both the UK & Geneva, Matt moved into the pioneering area of shopper marketing in 2003. After working for P&G with Asda in the UK, Matt moved over to the states to head-up P&G’s global Wal-Mart international marketing team, coordinating shopper marketing activity across some 14 countries & four continents! Among the highlights, Matt worked with Wal-Mart on their entry into several new countries including India. He returned to the UK in October 2008 & currently manages the marketing team for Northern Based retailers.