Mars Wrigley Australia has announced that Andrew Leakey has been appointed general manager for its business in Australia. Leakey will lead the business from Mars Wrigley’s headquarters in Melbourne, with responsibility for its manufacturing facilities in Asquith (NSW) and Ballarat (VIC), and 17 confectionery brands the company distributes across the Australian market, including EXTRA®, MALTESERS®, M&M’S®, MARS®, SKITTLES® and ECLIPSE®.
“It’s great to be back in Australia, leading a business with a strong legacy of market leading brands, great associates, strong customers and passionate consumers,” said Leakey.
“For over 100 years, Mars has remained committed to local manufacturing in Australia and this year we’re looking forward to celebrating the 40th anniversary of our Ballarat site with our customers and consumers.”
Leakey has worked for Mars Wrigley since 2008 in a variety of senior leadership roles across Asia and the Pacific. Most recently as general manager for Mars Wrigley India, he oversaw double digit growth during his tenure and the opening of the first local Mars chocolate factory in Pune near Mumbai.
Prior to that, Leakey served as the general manager of Wrigley Pacific from 2011-2016 leading the Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Islands operations. He joined Wrigley Pacific as marketing director, where among his many achievements, he launched the award-winning EXTRA® “Eat. Drink. Chew” campaign.
He brings over two decades of experience in the FMCG industry, having held both sales and marketing roles at Arnott’s, Cerebos Greggs, Mars and GlaxoSmithKline.
Andrew returns to Australia at an important time, with the company having finalised the integration of Mars Chocolate and Wrigley.