S4 Episode 13 - Mars Petcare

Poul Weihrauch is global president of Mars Petcare, the largest division of the family-owned food empire still best known for its chocolate bars and chewing gum.

Selling brands including Whiskas and Pedigree, the business also runs thousands of pet hospitals and comprises a workforce of 85,000 operating across 55 countries.

Weihrauch joins James Ashton to discuss:

Keeping up with demand as pet ownership boomed during lockdown;

Concerns over rip-off vets' fees;

Navigating his way up through a global organisation that plans for the long term;

The founding Mars family’s approach to leadership;

And how taking his dog to work is good for business.

Weihrauch began his career marketing chewing gum in his native Denmark and after six years with Nestlé arrived at Mars in 2000 as Snickers’ brand leader in Europe. Following a succession of broader roles, he joined the 110-year old American firm’s leadership team in 2011.

Weihrauch took on his current petcare role in 2015, leading the $8bn acquisition of veterinary business VCA two years later.

Leading is supported by Lockton, the world’s largest privately-owned, independent insurance broker. Lockton's independence means its 8,000 associates worldwide are free to focus solely on their clients' risk and insurance needs. To hear more from Lockton experts, please visit locktoninternational.com/gb/insight

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James Ashton’s book The Nine Types of Leader (bit.ly/NINEbook) is available to order now