Simon Knight, managing director of Radnor Hills, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jonathan to the board of directors and are looking forward to introducing him to our colleagues across the business.
“He has had a long and successful career in brand building within the FMCG industry and he joins us at a very exciting time as we embark on the next stage of our growth plans.”
FMCG career
Kemp started his career at Procter & Gamble and worked for eleven years across a number of brands in a variety of sales, commercial and marketing roles – including the setting up of the first Customer Business Unit at Tesco and the integration and UK launch of the Iams business.
The past 21 years has seen Kemp on the board of AG Barr as commercial director, during which he led the commercial growth of the business and the development of brands such as IRN-BRU and Rubicon. He is also involved with the Strathclyde Business School, part of the University of Strathclyde where he teaches students and conducts research.
Kemp added: “I’m really delighted to be joining the board at Radnor Hills as a Non-Executive Director. William and the team have built a very successful, fast growing soft drinks business through some increasingly well-known and great tasting brands.
“I’m looking forward to working with the team and being part of the next stage in the growth journey of the business.”
Year of appointments
News of Kemp joining the drinks manufacturer comes six months after it announced William Watkins was to become chief executive, with Simon Knight to take over his old position as managing director.
That same month also saw Watkins take on the role of British Soft Drinks Association president, succeeding Britvic GB managing director Paul Graham.
Radnor Hills, which was founded in 1990 by Watkins, celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. The manufacturer produces more than 400 million units of drinks annually. It recorded revenues of £72.4m in the year ended 31 May 2024, up from £65.5m in the year prior.
Meanwhile, US chocolate giant The Hershey Company is on the hunt for its next chief executive following the announcement that Michele Buck plans to step down from the role.
