Claire Hooper new marketing director for Calbee UK

Snackers Calbee UK, manufacturer of Seabrook crisps and Loaded snacks, as well as new plant-based Harvest Snaps, has appointed Claire Hooper as Marketing Director.

Claire, who is based at Calbee HQ in Bradford, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked in the food and drink sector for over 20 years. Before joining Calbee UK, she was Head of Brands in the snack foods division of Valeo Foods UK, leading brands such as KETTLE Chips and Barratt sweets.

Prior to Valeo, Claire was at pladis Global for almost eight years, latterly as Head of Marketing for the group’s cake business. She has also held marketing positions at Arla Foods and Fox’s Biscuits.

She will be responsible for leading and implementing all marketing strategy and activation.

“Seabrook Crisps has been performing phenomenally well, outperforming the category and now worth £74 million," said Daniel Woodwards, Managing Director at Calbee UK. "The appointment of Claire to the role of Marketing Director recognises our further ambitions for our brands and we are delighted to have someone of her calibre and experience onboard.”

Claire said, “I was drawn to the ambitious growth agenda, brands and culture at Calbee; it’s a talented, tight knit, agile team here in the UK, backed by the wider global Calbee organisation. The Seabrook brand is also one I have known and loved since childhood and I look forward to helping to further fuel its growth.”

Calbee UK was established in 2014, a subsidiary of US$2.3bn leading global snack company Calbee Inc. In 2018, Calbee purchased Seabrook Crisps in a bid to further its strategic objective to grow internationally and establish a firm foothold in European markets.