E-Malt.com News article: Africa: East African Breweries CEO to head Guinness Nigeria as from July

The leadership mantle at East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has changed as the regional brewer seeks fresh ideas and people to drive its growth, Business Daily reported on April, 29.

The company said on April, 28 it has appointed Devlin Hainsworth as CEO to replace Seni Adetu who will be taking up a similar role in Nigeria from July 1.

Mr Adetu — who has been at the helm of the brewer — will assume the role of CEO Guinness Nigeria plc, which is headed by Mr Hainsworth and majority-owned by Diageo that also holds a 50.03 per cent stake in EABL.

The need for growth has seen EABL review its talent in what has led to a broad shake-up of its executive suite over the past year, culminating in the increase in senior managers seconded from Diageo.

The company appointed Tracey Barnes in January as the finance director, Pennefather James (group strategy director) in October and Abbey Mark as group compliance and ethics director from Diageo.

Mr Adetu has headed EABL since July 2009 when he replaced Gerald Mahinda after serving as managing director of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited.

Guinness Nigeria generated sales equivalent to Sh68.7 billion in 2011 compared to EABL’s Sh44.8 billion.

Mr Hainsworth, who holds a history degree from Cambridge, has been working for Diageo since 1999.

He takes up leadership at a time when the Diageo-led EABL is locked in a battle for control of the East Africa beer market with UK-listed brewer SAB Miller and Heineken.

The brewer is also facing threats on its sales in the Kenyan market as the industry settles to the new alcohol law that reduces the number of hours bars can operate.

Its cash position stood at Sh1.5 billion in December compared to Sh8 billion in July 2010 and its net profit increased 17.3 per cent to Sh4.8 billion in the six months to December.


02 May, 2012