Singapore: Asia Pacific Breweries CEO resigns

Asia Pacific Breweries announced that Koh Poh Tiong will relinquish his position as CEO of the company with effect from September 30, 2008, media posted on July 1st. The firm has also said that on October 1, 2008, Roland Pirmez will be appointed as CEO.

Mr Tiong joined the company, then known as Malayan Breweries, in 1985 and served as general manager of the Singapore brewery until 1991, when he was appointed deputy group general manager. He was promoted to CEO and director in 1993. He is credited with implementing Asia Pacific Breweries' (APB's) successful regional expansion, which began in the early 1990's.

To facilitate a smooth handover, Mr Pirmez will join APB on September 1, 2008 as CEO-designate. Mr Pirmez is presently CEO of Heineken Russia, a position he has held since 2002.

Simon Israel, chairman of APB, said: "On behalf of the board I would like to extend our appreciation to Mr Koh for his leadership and outstanding contribution to APB's development. As CEO he has built APB into a leading regional brewer with 30 breweries in 12 countries.

"Mr Pirmez is a seasoned international CEO, with a proven track record of working with partners and building high growth businesses in emerging markets. We are delighted to have Mr Pirmez to lead the next phase of the company's development."

04 July, 2008