UK – Budweiser Brewing group UK&I, the UK & Ireland business of AB InBev, the world’s leading brewer, has appointed Brian Perkins as its new president.
Perkins, a member of parent company AB InBev since 2011, will oversee operations in UK & Ireland and Spain, according to a statement from the company.
The new head of Budweiser UK&I has held a number of senior roles across the AB InBev business, including vice president and head of sales, co-founder and head of growth for B2B and vice president of global sales.
Most recently, he served the maker of Corona and Stella Artois beers, as commercial and marketing vice president for the Brewer’s European operations, working closely with the UK team.
He is expected to continue the plans for large scale investment in the breweries, logistics, customer service, B2B technology and people in his new role.
Commenting on his appointment, Perkins said: “I am thrilled to be leading the UK& Ireland Business.
We will continue to put consumers at the heart of our strategy and to build long term success with strong customer relationships, excellence in execution and commitment to sustainability and the local communities we serve.”
Perkins’ promotion followed the departure of former Budweiser UK&I President Paula Lindenberg, who left the role due to family reasons.
“I feel truly privileged to have worked with such a talented, committed and resilient team who have inspired me every day,” Lindenberg said.
“I leave the business in a very strong position financially and operationally and confident in the knowledge that Brian is the right person to capitalise on the investments and strategies that the team and I have implemented and take the business to the next level of success.”
Perkins’ appointment follows a decision by JD Wetherspoon to replace Heineken with Budweiser as its biggest beer supplier.
The pubs chain, which has a 41-year association with Heineken and its predecessor Scottish & Newcastle, said that it had signed a 20-year supply deal with ABI’s Budweiser Brewing Group as part of wider changes to its beer and cider line-up.
The deal will include Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona, Leffe Blonde and Bud Light, as well as Bathtub Gin, Bud Light Seltzer and Mike’s Hard Seltzer.
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