Personal care leader, Kimberly-Clark Professional, has appointed Craig Bowman as General Manager for the UK & Ireland, 14 years after he started at the global giant as an intern on an industrial placement from university.
Craig, 34, has held roles in sales and marketing for Kimberly-Clark Professional in the UK as well as Dubai, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East in the last 14 years. He returned to the UK in February for the first time since the start of the pandemic after a two-year stint as General Manager in Israel.
As a leading global manufacturer, Kimberly-Clark Professional supplies innovative and sustainable washroom solutions, hygiene products and industrial supplies across all sectors. Craig is responsible for the operations and services of Kimberly-Clark Professional across the UK and Ireland.
Craig said: “The core values of Kimberly-Clark Professional and its main purpose to provide better care for a better world still inspires and motivates me every day. We operate with this purpose in every business unit around the world. When I first met the team, I realised immediately that it was like a family with common values and goals. We all work as a unit with people who you really respect.
“Working in four countries over 10 years has given me a cultural understanding and functional knowledge of how the company operates. I am grateful for the opportunities that have brought a raft of experiences that has shaped me as a person and given me a much more rounded understanding of the world outside of the UK. I feel now that I have a duty to give back opportunities to others within the organisation as well as our customers and partners.”
Olena Neznal, Vice-President Kimberly-Clark Professional Europe, Middle East and Africa, added: “Craig is a fantastic leader, and I am delighted he’s leading our Kimberly-Clark Professional UK & Ireland business. His career progression at Kimberly-Clark is a great example of how we’re committed to developing talent and invested in creating the next generation of industry leaders.
“It’s an exciting time to lead the UK & Ireland business – we have a talented team and great innovation like our new RightCycle Programme service to help close the loop for used hand towels and dispensers. I am confident in Craig’s leadership and believe we will build and enjoy a bright future in this industry, together with our customers and end-users.”
Craig concluded: “I truly value the opportunity and it is a privilege to continue working with my colleagues in the UK and Ireland, and throughout the world, towards delivering on our purpose ‘Better Care for a Better World’. Together we will keep the needs of customers and consumers at the centre of our work through our brands for everyday life – Kleenex, Scott, WypAll and KleenGuard – helping them to be more resilient in a volatile world where we have all learnt to expect the unexpected.”
