BELGIUM – AB InBev has announced that it is restructuring its executive and organisational structure to bring more focus to the leadership level as a way of driving growth in the region.

The brewer said it was simplifying its organisational structure by shifting from 9 to 6 management zones with an emphasis on driving growth opportunities and developing talent at the zonal level.

Zone Presidents will be charged with both commercial and external agendas for their businesses.

The changes are geared towards addressing consumer needs, leverage its operations in the zones, identify and pursue growth opportunities in the beer market.

Middle Americas zone has headquarters in Mexico City and combines the current COPEC and Middle Americas zones and the BU Central America and Caribbean.

New South America zone involves the Latin America South and BU Brazil with headquarters in Sao Paulo while APAC zone combines Asia Pacific South and North headquartered in Shanghai.

On the other hand, Africa and Europe will continue to be reported as a combined EMEA region.

Addressing growth opportunities

To capture organic growth opportunities in their businesses, AB InBev has created two new senior leadership positions reporting to the CEO to bring a closer focus on these areas.

These include Chief Non-Alcohol Beverages Officer (Lucas Herscovici currently Global Marketing VP of Strategic Functions) in charge of non-alcoholic beverages which accounts for more 10% of volumes.

Pablo Panizza, current BU President for BU Rio de la Plata was appointed Chief Owned-Retail Officer to manage owned-retail business.

Marketing and ZX Ventures, its global incubator programme will be brought under a common global lead to address the anticipated market and consumer trends.

The new zonal structures also featured changes and some reshuffling of the CEO’s leadership team.

“We will use the coming months to guarantee a smooth transition into the new structure and ensure continuity for the future.

We continue to be focused on delivering top-line growth, creating new occasions and expanding the beer category.

We believe that by implementing these changes, we will be better equipped to accelerate growth and be more responsive to our consumers and customers to bring them an even better experience,” said the company in a July 26 press release.

The changes will become effective on 1 January 2019.