Senior leaders on the move – eMed Healthcare UK, HCA Healthcare UK, BAT, and Merlin Entertainments

In Suzie Walker’s recent market update, she talked about the strengthened pipeline of new roles in the first quarter of this year, particularly for Heads-of and Director-level roles. However, we’re delighted to see that Chief-of roles are also slowly recovering. We would like to wish the following senior leaders our huge congratulations on their new roles and promotions – we wish them great success in the year ahead. 

Sue Stephenson, Marketing Director, Midway UK, Merlin Entertainments 

Congratulations to Sue Stephenson who joins Merlin Entertainments – the world’s second largest visitor attraction operator and Europe’s number one – as Marketing Director, Midway UK. Sue is an experienced Marketing Director, specialising in ecommerce, digital transformation, and performance-based results as part of an omnichannel approach. 

Previous roles include Marketing Director, Donald Russell Ltd; Interim Head of European Social, TJX Europe; and more than five years as Head of Digital Marketing, Westfield. 

A previous colleague commented on LinkedIn that Sue’s, “leading role in launching our Amazon channel was a fantastic achievement which will bring great benefits to the business in the future." 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-stephenson 

Grainne Arnold, Marketing Director, eMed Healthcare UK 

Grainne Arnold joins eMed Healthcare UK – market-leading digital-first primary care service and chronic care management solutions – as Marketing Director. Grainne is an experienced Marketing Director, driving strategic growth and brand development across multiple channels, and with a strong focus on customer experience. 

Previous roles include Head of Aftersales Marketing, Nissan Motor Corporation, along with marketing consultancy for the brand; Head of Brand Marketing, TalkTalk; Head of Marketing, HCA Healthcare UK; and Head of Marketing Communications and Head of Digital, Homebase. She also completed the Marketing Week Mini MBA with Mark Ritson, achieving a magnificent A-grade. 

As described by a previous colleague, "By driving agencies, internal departments and colleagues like myself, Grainne has helped kickstart the transformation of our marketing strategy for the coming years by introducing new initiatives and a new, collaborative way of working." 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grainnearnold  

Stijn de Bekker, Global Head of Consumer Technology, BAT 

Stijn de Bekker has been promoted for a second time at BAT, after just three years with the organisation, moving into the Global Head of Consumer Technology role. Stijn has years of experience in implementing business technology, driving digital solutions, and leading teams of professionals to increase business value. 

Previous roles at BAT include Head of Connected Ecosystems, and Regional Head of DBS (Marketing). He also spent more than nine years at The HEINEKEN Company, including the Strategic Advisor and Chief Information Officer roles. He is also a mentor for Startup Lisboa, guiding local start-ups and scale-ups through their journey for technology and business strategy 

When described by peers on LinkedIn, Stijn is "always looking for solutions and driven to succeed". 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdebekker  

Abigail Comber, VP Marketing and Patient Experience, HCA Healthcare UK 

Congratulations to Abigail Comber who has joined private medical provider, HCA Healthcare UK, as VP Marketing and Patience Experience. Abigail is an experienced, authentic, and creative leader who brings the voice of the customer inside the business. 

Previous roles include Chief Marketing Officer, Cignpost Diagnostics; Chief Marketing Officer, Debenhams; Commercial and Customer Experience Director, L3 Technologies; and she spent more than six years at British Airways, including the Director of Customer, Brand & Marketing and Director of Global Marketing roles.  

Abi has received praise from previous colleagues and peers including, "The delight of working with Abi is how she engaged the teams at all levels, building levels of trust that allowed her to gain a deep understanding of our business very quickly.” 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-comber-b22b9084 

If you feel ready to move towards the next stage in your career, or if you’re hiring for your team, please get in touch or connect with us/send a message on LinkedIn. 

Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for B2C and B2B marketing, digital and technology roles in FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below. 

If you’re ready to make your next move, we regularly post new opportunities on our LinkedIn company page. If you apply for a role on the platform, it requires a 1st connection for us to respond, so please make sure to connect with Suzie Walker. Our company page is also frequently updated with the latest hiring news, expert interviews, and candidate guidance, so well worth following.