Wales-based Levercliff, insight and data led category consultancy for the food and drink sector, further invests in its team with the announcement of Kai Virtanen joining the business as Head of Growth. This follows the appointment of John Humphrey as new Category Director, bringing in complementary expertise from both agency and brand manufacturer backgrounds.
Kai Virtanen, newly appointed Head of Growth, is responsible for the future growth of the Levercliff business. Based in London, Kai brings with him over 20 years of experience in the insight, consulting and FMCG industries from roles that have included global key account management, insight-based consultancy, business development, and service/product development.
Prior to joining Levercliff, Kai worked for businesses including Behaviorally, YouGov, and for 18 years, Kantar, working across a variety of their business units.
John Humphrey joined Levercliff as Category Director with over 25 years’ experience working within the FMCG business across key disciplines of consumer insight, marketing, category development and data analytics. During his career, John has worked both agency side and client side with some of the world’s most recognisable brands, including Mars Confectionery, Walkers Snackfoods, Johnson & Johnson, Nestle UK & Ireland, as well as Coca-Cola. Most recently John was Director of Consumer Insight & Business Analysis at Premier Foods.
Levercliff’s Managing Director, Fintan O’Leary, said of the appointments, “We are thrilled to welcome Kai and John to our growing team. Their combined experience is extensive in supporting food & drink brands and perfectly complements our existing team’s strengths. It is in our DNA to continuously improve the Levercliff offer and with these guys on board, we look forward to even more clients coming on a journey with us.
These appointments precede the upcoming celebration of 30 years as industry-leading experts and category consultants to the food and drink industry. As the sector has continued to flourish, grow, and develop over the past 30 years – so has Levercliff. Their core objective of helping the UK and Ireland Food & Drink sectors flourish remains part of their DNA today and has led them to a rally of successes.