Gary Clarke (left) will leave his role as General Manager of Mars Wrigley’s International Travel Retail (ITR) business on 30 April, after four years. He will be moving back to Australia with his wife and their daughters, to pursue new opportunities.
Mars Netherlands General Manager Jack Tabbers will lead Mars Wrigley ITR in an interim capacity alongside his existing responsibilities.
Clarke said: “In these times, when the impact of COVID-19 is felt so hard in travel retail, it is of critical importance to minimise disruption for the business, and I am confident that we have found the best possible solution with the interim appointment of Jack.
“Meanwhile, I am humbled and grateful to look back on four fantastic years in travel retail, in which I was able to broaden my perspective and learn so much from the people that I worked with, inside and outside of Mars. I have full confidence in the business and its people, and I know that they will continue to bring the Mars Wrigley purpose, ‘Better Moments Make The World Smile’, to life for travellers.”
The company said in a statement that Clarke had led the transition of the Mars Wrigley ITR business to “a purpose-driven business unit based on real traveller insights, with an admired portfolio and effective activations”.
It noted that he introduced the travel retail industry to the concept of ‘Economics of Mutuality’, “providing inspiration around delivering greater value to society, people and the environment while delivering superior business returns”.
Clarke delivered a memorable presentation on principles in business at The Trinity Forum 2018 in Shanghai, where he underlined how responsibility to both the community and the planet are more important than ever before.
This is something that today’s educated consumer is increasingly coming to expect from the brands it buys into, he explained. “It is important to note that this is not a CSR programme. It’s a new and holistic approach to business.”
