Q1 Power Moves: 50 brands set to shake things up after major marketing hires

When big brands hire new marketing leaders, things get interesting - fast. Fresh ideas, bigger budgets, new strategies: it’s one of the strongest signals out there that exciting changes (and plenty of opportunities) are on the horizon.

At Honch, we've tracked over 20,000 global marketing moves in Q1 alone. From this massive dataset, we've identified the 50 standout brands that have made high-profile UK marketing hires - pointing directly to major shifts, ambitious new campaigns, and significant business opportunities.

Here’s a sneak peek at five brands from our Q1 list to show you exactly why new hires should be on your radar:

SharkNinja

If there's one brand to watch closely right now, it's SharkNinja. Laura Dyer joined as SVP of Global Marketing, fresh from Netflix. They didn't stop there, either - SharkNinja made 16 other senior hires this quarter alone, from EVP Chief Creative Officer to Director of PR. And guess what? They’re still hiring.

Center Parcs

With Easter holidays right around the corner, Center Parcs is gearing up for big things. In March, they welcomed Sara Holt from Merlin as their new CMO and appointed Richard Sofer from TUI as their new Chief Commercial Officer. Expect a strong focus on fresh marketing strategies and digital experiences designed to elevate the Center Parcs brand.

Kimberly-Clark

It’s no secret Kimberly-Clark loves talking about sustainability (did you see their new 100% renewable energy Kleenex plant in Germany?). But Q1 brought even more big news: the UK & Ireland got a new Marketing Director, along with a Director of Marketing Capabilities, Senior Director of Creative and Design Excellence, and Head of Ecommerce. Expect significant shifts in their UK marketing approach this year.

Stonegate Group

After a turbulent 2024, Stonegate - the UK’s largest pub chain - appointed Kay Bartlett from Wagamama as their new CMO in February. Alongside new faces in commercial planning, procurement, and retail partnerships, Stonegate is clearly preparing for major strategic changes.

Merlin Entertainments

The company behind Legoland and Madame Tussauds isn't messing around in 2025. A new CEO arrived in February and quickly appointed Ruth Storey as VP Marketing UK. Alongside new hires including a UK Insights Director and Head of Contracts & Procurement, Merlin is setting the stage for a transformative year.

Want to see all 50?

Discover every brand that made our Q1 Power Moves list - including heavy hitters like Topshop, Pandora, and Suntory - and unlock valuable insights into their new marketing strategies and decision-makers. Try Honch today and start access this list and view all 19,000 appointments from Q1.