CBD brand Goodrays has expanded its senior team with the appointment of former Monster Energy marketing director Richard Pilbeam as its new head of marketing.

Pilbeam’s appointment to Goodrays, which has portfolio that includes CBD-infused carbonated drinks, gummies and oils, follows a 5-year tenure at the energy drink giant Monster Energy, where he initially joined as a marketing manager.

Pilbeam said: “I am thrilled to join Goodrays, a dynamic company with immense potential to dominate the CBD drinks market. I’ve loved my journey at Monster Energy, marked by significant growth and working with some awesome people.

“Now, I’m stoked to bring my experience to Goodrays, helping to elevate their brand and expand their reach across further markets.”

Goodrays CEO and founder Eoin Keenan added: “While Richard was at Monster Energy he led rapid brand growth and accelerated sales exponentially.

“He brings both strategic and tactical knowledge from leading a heavyweight brand as well as the hustle mentality and guerilla marketing experience after cutting his teeth at a variety of challenger brands and working agency side with major FMCG brands.

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“We’ve been growing 100% year on year for the past four years, introducing millions of people to CBD. We know that consumers love our product with our retention rate becoming best-in-class. The next step to supercharge growth is investing behind the brand, building awareness and driving trial. Rich is perfectly positioned to lead that part of our business.”

Pilbeam’s move to Goodrays also marks the start of investment into its senior team, as the brand is actively looking for an OOH channel lead, OOH NAM, operations manager and a brand manager.

Alongside the bolstering of its senior team, Goodrays has outlined plans to launch a nationwide partnership with local MIND charities and invest both in digital activations and strategic activations.

This is supported by the brands recent debut in the French market, as it begins to export to major French supermarkets, alongside its current listing with UK retailers such as Sainsbury’s, Ocado, Tesco and Waitrose.

Keenan added: “Over the last 12-months Goodrays has become the fastest growing CBD drink in the UK and has launched into four of the top four grocers in France in a matter of months. The scale of growth and the pipeline of opportunities ahead has meant that it’s the perfect time for us to build out the team and switch things up a gear.”