MAM
MEC Global Solutions doubles its strategy team in one year
MUMBAI: MEC Global Solutions, MEC’s international hub based in London, has made a significant investment in talent, hiring three new faces to join its international strategy team in addition to the three senior strategists already in place.
Chris Worrell, Francis Turner and Filippo Giannelli have been headhunted to further strengthen the team, working on the agency’s international clients including Vodafone, SABMiller, Johnson & Johnson, Beiersdorf and Activision Blizzard.
Worrell, Turner and Giannelli join strategy partners Andy Reynolds and Shula Sinclair, creating a group of diversified talent and experience, headed by Global Solutions and EMEA chief strategy officer Stuart Sullivan-Martin.
Commenting on the appointments, Martin said, “MEC has a heritage of excellence in communications planning, and that’s all about A+ people. The team’s remit includes working with our regional and international clients, spreading the insight derived from our industry leading approach to the consumer purchase journey (MEC Momentum), and working alongside the talented strategists in MEC’s local markets on our new operating system for planning: Thrive5. The number of regional and global media relationships we have with clients is only going to increase – so this is an exciting time and we’re gearing for growth.”
Worrell joins as group strategy director, having more than 10 years’ experience working with clients such as McDonalds, Vodafone, Easyjet and Carlsberg. Previously he was insight director with OMD UK and held a European role with Specific Media. Worrell’s work has been covered by BBC, The Daily Mirror, Wall Street Journal and Sky News, and he is a sought after speaker at international industry events such as IAB Engage and DMEXCO.
Turner joins as strategy director with a background in PR. He has experience working with clients such as Mars Food, John Frieda and Group Lactalis, latterly as planning director at Zenith Optimedia. He is also an aspiring stand-up comedian.
Giannelli joins as a strategist. He comes to MEC from TBWA/OMD working with Apple, and previous to that an independent creative agency in Florence, Italy.
Shula Sinclair joined MEC as strategy partner in September 2013, from DraftFCB where she was regional planning director. After 17 years in the industry, Sinclair has expertise across numerous sectors including FMCG, finance, automotive, travel, and beauty. She has delivered a range of activity across multiple channels from ATL and digital to PR for a host of major brands including Hyundai, Oreo and Nivea. Her work has been recognised with several industry awards.
Andy Reynolds joined MEC as strategy partner earlier in 2014. He came from OMD where he was the executive director of strategy working as lead strategist on pan-regional clients such as Sony, PepsiCo and Nissan. He has a strong focus on integrated communications – ATL, digital in all its forms, and branded entertainment. Since joining MEC, his work with Paramount has won several industry awards, notably a gold at the recent M&M awards.
This announcement follows those made by the agency within digital, data and analytics, and cements MEC Global Solutions’ position as the Centre of International Excellence for clients across the EMEA region.
MAM
HUL appoints Pavan Bedi as CMO for Foods business
Veteran marketer with 22-plus years at Unilever takes charge of foods portfolio in Mumbai.
MUMBAI: HUL’s foods division just got a seasoned flavour boost because when it comes to seasoning success, Pavan Bedi knows exactly how to stir the pot. Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has elevated long-time leader Pavan Bedi to chief marketing officer for its Foods business, the company confirmed on 23 February 2026. Bedi, who has spent over 22 years with the FMCG giant, shared the news himself on LinkedIn, writing: “I’m delighted to share that I will be stepping into a new role as CMO Foods, HUL”.
Before this Mumbai-based appointment, Bedi served as global brand vice president for more than four years. His career is dotted with high-impact global roles: he was global brand director for Pond’s (based in Singapore), driving innovation across South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, led the high-profile rebranding of Fair & Lovely to Glow & Lovely as global brand director; and spent six years shaping Lifebuoy’s “Purpose agenda” and “Social Mission”, forging public-private partnerships with the United Nations and other platforms.
Now overseeing HUL’s sprawling foods lineup from staples to snacks and everything in between Bedi steps into one of the company’s most dynamic verticals at a time when consumer tastes are evolving fast. His track record blending global scale, brand transformation, and purpose-led marketing makes him a natural fit for steering strategic growth and creative campaigns in the category.
In his LinkedIn post, Bedi underscored his enduring commitment to Unilever’s vision, framing the move as another chapter in a career built on long-term impact rather than quick wins.
For an organisation that thrives on trusted, household names, Bedi’s elevation is less a surprise and more a reminder, the best recipes for growth often come from ingredients that have been simmering for over two decades. Whether it’s rebranding icons or building purpose at scale, he’s now tasked with making sure HUL’s foods business stays as appetising tomorrow as it is today.
