Mars appoints two new general managers

Two in one fell swoop: Mars Inc. is restructuring the management of its pet care division by appointing Nick Foster and James McGrath as general managers. The company announced this in a press release. Foster, who was previously general manager of Royal Canin UK & Ireland, has been appointed general manager of Mars Pet Nutrition UK, Ireland and the Nordics. McGrath, formerly general manager of Royal Canin Nordics, will also assume responsibility for Royal Canin UK and Ireland.

Foster joined the Mars Graduate Programme in 2006, initially working at Mars Food before moving to Petcare in 2008. He has been general manager of Royal Canin UK & Ireland since 2022, during which time he has led a digital acceleration programme, built digital platforms, and accelerated growth with e-commerce partners. During his time at Mars Pet Nutrition, he has held various roles and three director positions within the UK leadership team, including marketing & category director and interim sales director.

Since joining the Mars Graduate Programme in 2009, James McGrath has gained extensive experience in the areas of supply chain, marketing and sales. His career has taken him through various leadership roles, including marketing director for Multisales Central Europe and general manager for Mars Multisales Sweden, where he championed diversity and built high-performing teams that delivered strong results.

According to the company, James McGrath has quickly made an impression since joining Royal Canin in September 2024 as general manager for the Nordic countries with his clear focus on customer needs, strategic thinking and commitment to strong, collaborative relationships.