FDBusiness.com

Molson Coors Brewing Company has completed its previously announced acquisition of StarBev for approximately €2.65 billion. Mark Hunter, chief executive of Molson Coors UK & Ireland business, will serve as chief executive of the new business unit, which has been renamed Molson Coors Central Europe.

Molson Coors Central Europe employs approximately 4,100 people, operates nine breweries and sells its market-leading brands in the Czech Republic, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovakia. The acquisition includes Staropramen, the business unit’s flagship brand with sales in more than 30 countries worldwide.

Prior to his appointment as chief executive 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.