The company stated it has established “a new business model that streamlines priorities, allows us to operate more efficiently, and increases our investment in categories that offer high potential for growth and where we can make a positive impact on consumers' lives”.

As such, Lewis is departing after five-and-a-half years in the job. A spokesperson for J&J told The Drum it had “no immediate plans to fill this role at this time” and would split her remit between “other leaders in [the] organization”.

When it handed Lewis the role in 2013, J&J also cited its quest for efficiencies.

The company noted at the time that bringing its businesses "under a single leader enables us to build repeatable, end-to-end, global business models and innovation pipelines for our brands, focusing investment more effectively and efficiently".

The marketer was the first to take on the consumer role, having spent some 25 years in-house at Coca-Cola prior to joining.

In a statement, she said she looked upon her departure as a “proud moment”.

“I was brought in to be a change agent, but the talent and passion of the team at J&J also changed me. I will always be inspired by J&J purpose to change the trajectory of health for humanity and feel good that I was able to contribute to this noble effort in my own way by building a modern marketing team with the inherent strength to carry these iconic brands forward.” 

Meanwhile Bacardi U-turned on its decision to scrap the role in 2018.