Cherida Barnes to help with drive to support decorative product distributors and stockists.
Decorative paints supplier Jotun has appointed Cherida Barnes as décor distributor sales manager.

Ms Barnes, 38, joins from PPG (formerly SigmaKalon Coatings) bringing more than 20 years experience to the post.

She will be working with Jotun's marketing team based at its Decorative Division in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and will oversee a six-strong team of territory managers.

The moves marks Jotun's decision to grow its support to decorative product distributors and stockists this year as it looks to grow its presence in the UK and bring in a range of new stains and paints to the market.

In a statement Jotun said it is keen to focus on building long-term partnerships with stockists and support them with 'a comprehensive support package backed up by unparalleled technical expertise'.

Cherida Barnes' duties will include working closely with the UK's leading distributor chains as well as head a product launch package and pricing structure for the introduction of Jotun's rebranded range of woodstains like Butinox and Optimal and new paint brands.

Jotun Paints (Europe) Ltd is part of the Norway-based Jotun Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of paints, coatings and powder coatings.

The Group operates 67 companies and 40 production facilities across five continents. Employing 5,300 people (184 in the UK), sales income in 2006 was in excess US$ 1.2 billion (£0.6bn).

In the UK, it provides protective coatings for the offshore, cathodic and industrial sectors, marine coatings and decorative paints sectors.