Arla Foods names Swaisland in new role
Image: Michael Swaisland, Arla
Arla Foods has named Michael Swaisland in the newly created role of global head of insight and analytics. He was previously with Mattel in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and has held roles with Unilever and Asahi as well.
This is a new role for Arla as it focuses ever more closely on consumer centricity, the company says. “We are bringing together Consumer and Shopper Insights, Analytics and Date Science/ Modelling, the Innovation Science teams and Marketing Transformation under one leader to drive greater consumer closeness across all pillars and embed a culture of curiosity throughout Arla,” according to the Danish-Swedish dairy.
Of his new role, Swaisland says, “Industries on the cusp, facing change from all around, provide moments for all of us to do more, to be more. Insights and data are tools to unlock future success, but curiosity and a hunger to be better are what fuels that success. Through my interactions so far with leaders at Arla, I have heard and sensed that hunger. The desire to drive greater impact through being more attuned to societal needs, wants and shifts. Realising that being a little uncomfortable is a good thing. Being a part of that future, with Arla, that excites me.”
Patrik Hansson, CMO at Arla, adds, “With Michael joining as head of insight and analytics, we will accelerate our Next Generation Marketing journey and our commitment to transforming Arla into an even more consumer-centric organisation. Michael has experience from other companies leading this journey. I have come to learn Michael as a curious and ambitious leader that has a good match to our Arla values so I am really looking forward to welcoming him as part of the team.”