FDBusiness.com

SABMiller has accelerated the planned promotion of chief operating officer Alan Clark to chief executive with immediate effect after executive chairman Graham Mackay was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Graham Mackay has undergone surgery and has embarked on a course of treatment.

Alan Clark was appointed as chief operating officer in July 2012 with a view to succeeding Graham Mackay as chief executive in July 2013 after a transitional period of one year, when it was intended that Graham Mackay would become non-executive chairman. The board will keep Graham Mackay’s position under review pending the outcome of his treatment, and John Manser, deputy chairman, becomes acting chairman for the time being.

Alan Clark.

SABMiller is one of the world’s leading brewers with more than 200 beer brands and some 70,000 employees in over 75 countries. The group’s portfolio includes global brands such as Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Miller Genuine Draft and Grolsch; as well as leading local brands such as Aguila (Colombia), Castle (South Africa), Miller Lite (USA), Snow (China), Victoria Bitter (Australia) and Tyskie (Poland). SABMiller also has growing soft drinks businesses and is one of the world’s largest bottlers of Coca-Cola products.

In the year ended 31 March 2012 the group reported EBITA of US$5.63 billion and group revenue of US$31.39 billion. SABMiller is listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.