Cathryn Sleight has been named as the new president of business development at Mars Wrigley [Listed as the No. 1 company on the Candy Industry North American Sweet 60 listing].

In the role, which she starts on Aug. 5, Sleight will lead the segment’s business development team to pursue new global treating and snacking growth opportunities. She will report to Mars Wrigley Global President Andrew Clarke. 

Sleight replaces Keith Levy, who departed the business in May.

"I am delighted to join Mars Wrigley to help identify and deliver new opportunities to grow this iconic business with some of the world’s best-loved brands,” Sleight said. “It’s an exciting time to work in a vibrant, growing category that consumers love and to help lead an agenda to bring more smiles to consumers.”                   

Sleight joins Mars Wrigley from Unilever, where she spent the last nine years leading its global Food Category business, successfully developing and executing global brand renovation and innovation agendas across key brands, including Knorr and Hellmann’s. She led strategies to drive new growth opportunities and identify M&A opportunities. Under her tenure the team acquired Mae Terra, a Brazilian organic food brand; Sir Kensington’s, a U.S. condiments company; and The Vegetarian Butcher, a Dutch-based chilled soy-meat replacement producer. 

Prior to Unilever, Sleight had a successful 20-plus-year marketing career at various food and beverage companies including The Coca-Cola Co., Allied Domecq, Britvic Soft Drinks, McVitie’s, and Eden Vale.

“Cathryn brings great experience to Mars Wrigley and will help us further expand our portfolio,” Clarke said. “Her ability to spot trends and pinpoint emerging brands with significant potential for global scale will help us further diversify and grow.”