Weber barbecues has appointed a new country manager to drive the brand's investment in the UK market.
François Lepeltier will take on the role of general manager - UK and Ireland - with immediate effect, reporting directly to Michael Reuter, director sales & markets EMEA.

Mr Lepeltier joins Weber Stephen UK from Wolverine Worldwide, where he held different positions over the last 10 years. Starting as International Sales Manager, he took on the responsibility of International Sales Director EMEA, and was then promoted to a General Manager role covering sales, product and marketing, as brand director for Hush Puppies EMEA. He has a long leadership and strong international experience building brands, having worked in the UK, the US and France.

"It's a real privilege to be joining such an iconic and successful brand" said Mr Lepeltier. "I am very much looking forward to working with the team and dedicated retail partners, to grow the Weber business as we continue to develop and expand barbecue culture in the UK and Ireland".

Mr Lepeltier's appointment coincides with the announcement that after 16 years with Weber Stephen UK - latterly as sales director - Jo McDonald will be moving on to explore new roles outside of the company as well as an exciting pan-European project within W-S EMEA.

Accordingly Weber - as they head towards an exciting 2017 season - are now looking to replace McDonald's role. In the short term, Andy Thorpe (previously interim country manager with W-S UK) will be assisting Lepeltier with this key transition.

Lepeltier will be joining a progressive UK team which in addition to launching their biggest UK campaign to date with a revolutionary fuel and an elevated retail offering; Weber World, last month recorded their best sales figures to date.