KENYA – Coca-Cola Africa has appointed Debra Mallowah as the new Vice President for the East and Central Africa franchise effective February 15, 2021.

Debra takes the helm of the company from Phillipine Mtikikiti who has also been appointed in a similar position at the South African franchise, based in Johannesburg.

In her new role which will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, Debra will oversee the development and implementation of business strategies across the beverage making company.

She is a highly accomplished leader with a wealth of experience gained within leading multi-national organizations operating in the beverage, manufacturing, and technology industries.

“I am confident that she will lead the Coca-Cola Franchise in its next phase of growth,”

President Coca-Cola Africa Operating Unit – Bruno Pietracci

Prior to her appointment, Debra was the Chief Business Development Officer at Safaricom Plc (Vodafone Group) and played a key role in developing a blueprint for entry into new geographical territories and expanding the business to new growth areas.

Previously, she has also served as the General Manager for East and Central Africa at GlaxoSmithKline; Vice President at Unilever with responsibility for Sub-Sahara Africa; Group Marketing & Innovations Director at Diageo East Africa (East African Breweries Limited); and Regional Marketing in Diageo in the United Kingdom.

“Debra is a highly accomplished leader with a wealth of experience gained within leading multi-national organizations.

“She has a strong track record of driving growth and is a versatile leader with deep understanding of customers and markets in Sub-Saharan Africa. I am confident that she will lead the Coca-Cola Franchise in its next phase of growth,” President Coca-Cola Africa Operating Unit Bruno Pietracci said.

Speaking on her appointment Debra expressed optimism as she takes up her new role.

“My vision is to ensure that the Coca-Cola brand continues to refresh our consumers lives and make a difference in communities we operate in.

“A lot has changed around the environment we operate in especially in the last one year driven by the ongoing pandemic, but there are many growth opportunities for the Coca-Cola business and that is my focus,” she said.

Debra holds a Business degree (Honours) from the University of Nairobi and completed an Advanced Management Program from the IESE Business school in Spain and an Executive Program on Fintech Innovation at Said Business School, Oxford University.

Meanwhile, restaurant chain Java House Africa is set to tap former KFC boss, Derrick Van Houten as its new chief executive amid its expansion quest in Africa.

Derrick is set to take over from Paul Smith as Java head from March 1, reports Business Daily.

The executive change comes as Java seeks to open more outlets in Africa to emulate KFC, which has over 1,200 outlets in the continent.

Mr Houten served as head of KFC East Africa until last November and previously served as the Chief Executive of United Africa Company of Nigeria, a publicly-listed company based in Lagos.

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