Leadership Changes at Molson Coors UK and StarBev
Molson Coors Brewing Company has appointed Mark Hunter as chief executive of its newly acquired StarBev business. Headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Prague, Czech Republic, StarBev operates nine breweries in Central and Eastern Europe and generated sales of approximately Eur0.7 billion and EBITDA of Eur241 million in 2011.
Mark Hunter, who currently serves as chief executive of Molson Coors’ UK & Ireland business, is a 20-year industry veteran with extensive experience in the European beer business.
Mark Hunter.
StarBev is being acquired from private equity firm CVC Capital Partners for Eur2.65 billion ($3.54 billion). The purchase significantly increases Molson Coors’ international business and exposure to emerging markets.
Prior to his appointment as head of the UK & Ireland business in 2007, Mark Hunter served as chief commercial officer for Molson Coors Canada where he was responsible for all sales and marketing activities. He worked in a number of senior roles since joining the brewing industry in 1989, including managing the export markets and business unit strategy for Bass Brewers and marketing management of the Carling brand. He also has served on the board of Bass Brewers as marketing director and on the board of Coors Brewers.
“Mark is an extraordinary brand builder and a strong leader who knows how to win in a highly-competitive, complex environment. We are fortunate to have a proven leader ready to step into this new business and drive results from day one,” remarks Peter Swinburn, chief executive and president of Molson Coors.
Alain Beyens, current chief executive of StarBev, will leave the business upon close of the transaction with Molson Coors.
Stewart Glendinning, current global chief financial officer for Molson Coors, has been named to replace Mark Hunter as head of the UK & Ireland business. Prior to his current role, Glendinning was chief financial officer for Molson Coors UK, where he was responsible for overseeing all Finance and IT activities within the business.
