Yorkshire-based Burgess Pet Care has announced the appointment of Emily Watmough as trade marketing manager.

With almost 10 years’ marketing experience with a strong retail focus, Emily has worked across several sectors including pet care. In her new role, she will continue to build on Burgess’ strong relationships with independent pet care specialists.

Emily’s key responsibilities include developing and implementing strategic marketing plans, creating trade marketing materials, coordinating product launches and managing trade events. She will also lead one of Burgess’ flagship welfare campaigns later this year – Guinea Pig Awareness Week, or GPAW.

Emily said: “I’m excited to join Burgess Pet Care. As a huge animal lover, this is a great opportunity for me to combine my professional skills and personal interests. I’m really looking forward to leading Guinea Pig Awareness Week, as well as meeting our customers at PATS in September.”

Peter Lancaster, head of marketing at Burgess Pet Care, added: "We’re really pleased that Emily has joined Burgess Pet Care. Her knowledge and experience is clear to see and she also shares our passion for responsible pet ownership and pets’ health and wellbeing.

“This is an exciting year for the company, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Burgess Excel range. This was developed following concerns raised around the negative impact that selective feeding could have on rabbit health, which led to the launch of Burgess Excel rabbit nuggets, the UK’s first single component extruded rabbit food.”