Erik Hellan-Sole

Background

About Erik Hellan-Sole

Highly experienced innovator, new product developer, and product launcher. Working across both multi-national and small to medium-sized FMCG enterprises in UK and Europe. Product specialist areas includes world foods, plant-based, hot drinks, and confectionary. Thrive on leading innovation and NPD projects from start to launch, developing new strategies from scratch. Solid brand marketing background, delivering strategic focus on strengthening brands creating break-through innovations and tactical product launches. Adopt the multi-faceted nature of innovation and have the drive to deliver bigger, better, and faster products to market, known to inspire a calmness in both the team and approach. Key strengths & significant achievements Portfolio escalation: • Doubled the Oatly UK product portfolio in 2 years. Launched 14 new products to the market across the brand’s drinks heartland and expanded into new sectors such a yogurt, ice-cream, and cheese. Innovation: • Managed large breakthrough innovation projects, e.g. leading Blue Dragon and Patak’s projects through all key stages from strategy, scope, insight, platform creation, ideation, concept development, validation and implementation. Optimising ideas and concepts: • Used new insight methodology, Nielsen Optimiser, created a winning Patak’s Paste Pots range that could increase penetration of their winning paste recipes. Leading fast-paced NPD projects: • Facilitated creative ideations, concept testing, and project management to launch of new Blue Dragon Thai range, capturing an emerging food trend. Managing full marketing mix: • Initiated and lead the process to change a large and iconic confectionery brand. Directing through strategy, positioning, communication platform, TV & Outdoor advertising, packaging design, and NPD. Driving an increase of 22% in annual sales.