The arrival of a UK chief will herald a new era for the Heinz business, as it begins to see the effects of a fresh marketing focus from its US headquarters and embarks on a wholesale review to pinpoint its priority brands.
Last month, newly appointed chief growth officer Casey Keller announced he would allocate up to $200m (£128m) more to marketing globally, and focus on 15 power brands to replicate the global success of Heinz' ketchup.
In the UK, canned soups and beans will be given added impetus, along with ketchup. Heinz is to redesign its ketchup bottle formats, aimed at adults, and bring out more kids' products this year.
The extra spend has not yet been allocated to individual markets, but as the UK and Ireland delivers about 20% of global sales, the region can expect to receive a similar proportion of the additional funding. Last year, according to Nielsen Media Research, the company spent £11.8m on advertising.
The UK managing director's job became vacant at the end of February after Peter Bowen retired. A permanent appointment will be made within two months.
Heinz is considering external candidates as well as Bardon. From 1997 to 2000, Bardon held one of the firm's first pan-European roles, heading the sauces category.
In May 2000, he left to join logistics firm iForce and then Ladbrokes, but returned to Heinz as category development director for Europe last July.
A UK spokesman said a brand review would begin once the chief is in place and the new fiscal year begins. "We will review all our brands and focus on those with the highest growth potential."
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