Cadbury owner Mondelēz International has appointed a new president for northern Europe.

Mary Barnard joined the business in March but now steps into this newly created role in which she will be responsible for the firm's businesses in the UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.

In addition to Birmingham-based Cadbury, Mondelēz International manufactures and sells well-known brands such as Oreo, Kenco, Bassetts, Maynards and belVita.

Ms Barnard joined Mondelēz International in March as managing director Nordics from PepsiCo International where she held the position of senior vice-president and general manager global of the Pepsi-Lipton Partnership in the US.

She started her career in the UK at Rank Hovis McDougall in 1989 and joined PepsiCo in 1997, rising to marketing director of Walkers Crisps.

In 2003, she was appointed business unit director Tesco and then general manager Quaker and Tropicana.

She said: "I am delighted to be taking on this role at a pivotal moment for our business.

"I have enjoyed my first few months in the Nordics and am looking forward to taking on this new role and broader remit. As a life-long Cadbury fan, I'm particularly thrilled to be looking after this iconic brand."