Weber barbecues has appointed a new sales director for the UK and Ireland Chris Howard; previously group sales director at Keter UK, one of the world’s top manufacturers household and garden consumer products, joined the barbecue brand from January 2017.

With 20 years of proven commercial success across retail and FMCG, Mr Howard will be responsible for leading the Weber UK and Ireland team for an exciting year.

Mr Howard said, “I am excited to start a new challenge with such an iconic and market leading brand. I have been relishing the opportunity to join a company that is committed to investing in the category and its retailers. This year will see our biggest investment yet with great product innovation, a major advertising campaign, the rollout of premium fixtures instore and a revamped training experience for store staff.”

The announcement of Mr Howard's appointment follows the appointment in the latter half of last year of François Lepeltier as general manager, and completes the UK & Ireland senior management team.

Mr Lepeltier added, “We’re thrilled to have Chris on board, and now have the team in place to build on and accelerate our growth of recent years, expanding our market leading position. Chris comes in at a key time when we are making significant changes for the benefit of our retailers with a new selective distribution contract and supportive terms, the development of the Weber World partnerships and our biggest product launch in 30 years supported by our largest ever advertising campaign. Chris will prove instrumental in working our retail partners to implement these initiatives and fulfil the vast potential the barbecue market has to offer.”