Ex-KFC chief to lead Boots healthcare and beauty

by Lucy Barrett, Marketing 12-Jul-06

Claire Harrison-Church, the former marketing director of KFC, is joining Boots as category marketing director.

She is due to join next month, reporting to Andrew Brent, who was brought in from Burger King last year as marketing director.

The position she is to take up was being filled on an interim basis by former Nestle marketer and Muller Dairy chief Andrew Harrison. Harrison recently left Boots to join industry body the RadioCentre as chief executive.

Harrison-Church was KFC's marketing director for four years before quitting without a job to go to last October. Before her stint at the fast-food chain, she worked at Unilever, which she joined as a graduate before rising to brand director for the Lynx brand.

While at KFC, Harrison-Church oversaw the appointment of Bartle Bogle Hegarty to handle the company's advertising, and subsequent introduction of its 'Soul food' positioning.

At Boots, Harrison-Church is expected to work on the development of the retailer's healthcare, beauty and own-brand marketing.

She will also oversee its relationships with agencies. Mother and MediaCom handle its £41m advertising and media buying business.

No one from Boots was available for comment.