Nick Foster and James McGrath have taken on new roles
Mars, Inc. has announced the appointment of two General Managers for its petcare businesses.
Nick Foster, previously General Manager Royal Canin UK & Ireland, has been appointed General Manager, Mars Pet Nutrition UK, Ireland and Nordics.
James McGrath, previously Royal Canin Nordics General Manager has expanded his responsibilities to include Royal Canin UK and Ireland.
Pic: Nick Foster
Since 2022, Nick Foster has served as the General Manager of Royal Canin UK & Ireland, during which time he has been recognised for fostering strong engagement both internally and externally. In his time at Royal Canin, Nick spearheaded a digital acceleration programme, developing the capabilities of the team, building digital platforms and accelerating growth with eCommerce partners. With a passion for bringing the outside in, in his most recent role, he cultivated robust relationships with key opinion leaders, customers, charities, and professional organisations.
Nick is an alumnus of the graduate programme at Mars, which he joined in 2006, initially with Mars Food, before moving to the Petcare business in 2008. During his previous tenure at Mars Pet Nutrition, he worked across a number of different functions, taking on three different director roles on the UK Leadership team, including Marketing & Category and interim Sales Director.
Nick Foster said “After my time with the incredibly talented team at Royal Canin, I’m very excited to be returning to lead Mars Pet Nutrition as General Manager UK, Ireland and Nordics. Having started my career at Mars on our graduate programme almost 20 years’ ago, it’s a privilege to lead this business into its next chapter, continue to deliver our purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS, and to serve a new generation of pet parents 90 years after Mars started its journey in the pet care category in the UK.”
Pic: James McGrath
Since joining the graduate programme at Mars in 2009, James McGrath has built broad experience across supply chain, marketing, and sales. His journey has taken him through various leadership roles, including Marketing Director for Multisales Central Europe and General Manager for Mars Multisales Sweden, where he championed diversity and built empowered teams that delivered strong results.
Since joining Royal Canin in September 2024 as General Manager for the Nordics, James has quickly made an impact through his sharp focus on customer needs, strategic mindset, and commitment to strong, collaborative partnerships.
James McGrath said: “Having spent the last nine years working across different parts of Europe, it feels meaningful to take on a General Manager role in the unit where I started - and it’s testament to the investment and support that Mars offers.
“At Royal Canin, our health and nutrition expertise helps us to achieve our purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. It’s a mission we live every day, whether through our long-term relationships with partners like Medical Detection Dogs, fostering close partnerships with pet professionals or the millions of pets we serve with tailored nutrition each year through our retail partners. The UK & Ireland team is hugely passionate about the pets we serve, and I’m looking forward to playing a role in the business’ exciting growth journey.”