Tanzania: East African Breweries Limited appoints new managers

East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has appointed Richard Wells as the new Managing Director days after completing the buyout of a 51% stake in Tanzania’s beer firm, The Independent informed on November 10th.

Wells, formerly commercial director of Brand House, replaces Ajay Mehta who is the executive director for special projects.

Wells will be assisted by Allan Hood, the finance director. Seni Adetu, the chief executive officer and Dr Nick Blazquez, the deputy group chairman at EABL will also take eats in the boardroom. The talent shift highlights the growing quest by Diageo to capture a larger share of the East African market, reduce the Tanzanian market share of its rival SABMiller and cut its overreliance on the Kenyan market that has been showing signs of maturity.

TBL has a 72% stake in the Tanzania’s beer market, and it has committed to defend and grow its market share in the face of fresh onslaught from its business partners-turned rivals. EABL and SABMiller were business partners in Tanzania before their split in 2002.

EABL will spend millions of shillings to upgrade these facilities to its standards and allow it to produce and distribute its flagship products like Tusker, Guinness and Pilsner in the Tanzanian market and outside markets.

12 November, 2010