Jakub Kolesa has been appointed as General Manager of Royal Canin UK and Ireland following the move of Andy Reed to head up the brand’s European sales and marketing operations.

Jakub was previously the GM of Mars Czech & Slovak Republic, and joined the Mars Group in 2011 as the company’s first non-Mars GM, and also the first Czech native to take up such a role. 

Having gained his MBA while studying in the UK, he has worked in major companies such as Sara Lee, Coty and Gillette in a range of sales and marketing roles, and over the last four years has overseen outstanding growth for the company’s brands and driven consistent growth in the Czech and Slovak markets across both multiple and independent retail sectors.

Jakub says: “I am very excited to be coming to the UK at this time, especially to be coming back here after my MBA studies. 

"Although the market for Royal Canin is well established, and the brand performs well with superb support from the UK specialist pet trade, it is clear that there are still major opportunities to develop.  The cat market is a prime example, where there is huge scope to develop the specialist pet trade business in partnership together. 

"I look forward to getting to know the UK pet trade, and to developing our relationship for all our benefits.”

Jakub (42), who loves sport, theatre and travel, will move to the UK with his wife and three sons and will be based at Royal Canin’s UK HQ in Castle Cary, Somerset.