Newell Brands Inc., which recently acquired Jarden Corp., hired Fiona Laird as executive vice president and chief human resources and communications officer.
Laird will be based in Hoboken, NJ. Laird will leverage her deep experience in driving change and building new capabilities to help transform Newell Brands into a $16 billion global, consumer goods powerhouse.
“We are delighted that Fiona is joining our world-class leadership team,” said Newell Brands Chief Executive Officer Michael Polk. “With the integration of Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden Corporation, Newell Brands will become one of the preeminent consumer goods companies in the world. Fiona will play a key role in developing the talent, organization, and culture required for our transformation and growth.”
Laird is joining Newell Brands following a 25-year career at Unilever. Most recently, she was Executive Vice President, Human Resources, for Global Categories, Marketing, Communications, and R&D, based in London. Previously, she was Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Communications for Unilever’s North and Latin American geographies. After beginning her career at Unilever as a lawyer in the United States, Fiona moved into HR and communications, and progressed through roles of increasing scope.
Laird brings to Newell Brands extensive experience in organizational change gained through numerous business integrations at Unilever, including those of Bestfoods and Alberto Culver. She also has broad expertise in HR strategy development, talent management, organization design, total rewards, and engaging employees through multiple communication channels.
“Newell Brands is entering an exciting, transformative phase. I am thrilled to be joining at this particular moment and for the opportunity to help shape our path to growth as an integrated entity,” said Laird. “We have powerful brands, innovative products, and talented people. With these tremendous resources, there’s really no limit to what we can achieve. It’s energizing to be part of it.”
Since 2013, Laird has also served as a Non-Executive Director of N Brown Group PLC, a leading clothing, footwear, and household goods retailer based in the United Kingdom, where she is currently Chair of the Remuneration and Corporate Social Responsibility Committees.
Laird’s appointment is the latest in a series of company developments, which have included the appointment of Chief Financial Officer Ralph Nicoletti and the establishment of a new corporate headquarters in Hoboken, New Jersey, both announced on May 13.
Newell Brands’ portfolio of brands include: Paper Mate, Sharpie, Dymo, EXPO, Parker, Elmer’s, Coleman, Jostens, Marmot, Rawlings, Irwin, Lenox, Oster, Sunbeam, FoodSaver, Mr. Coffee, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Graco, Baby Jogger, NUK, Calphalon, Rubbermaid, Contigo, First Alert, Waddington and Yankee Candle.
