ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed beverages producer, Delta Corporation has announced the retirement of its CEO Mr Pearson Gowero with effect 30 June 2021, after eight years at the helm.

Drawing to a close a distinguished career with the Group spanning nearly 25 years, Mr Gowero will be succeeded by Mr Matlhogonolo Valela, the Group Finance Director who will takes over the reins from July 1.

Pearson was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer in June 2012, having joined the Group in March 1997.

He started at Chibuku Breweries in marketing and rose to become the Divisional Managing Director. He was appointed to the Delta board in 2003 as Executive Director responsible for the beverages business sales and distribution operations.

Mr Gowero was seconded to SABMiller Africa in 2006 where he served as Managing Director of Zambian Breweries Group until his return to Delta as Chief Operating Officer in 2011.

“Pearson has provided leadership to the Group during a period of significant business challenges in the operating environment.

“The Board and management of Delta wish to thank Mr Gowero for his valued contribution to the Group and wish him well in his retirement and future endeavours,” Board Chairman Canaan Dube said in a statement.

To ensure a smooth transition, Mr Valela who has been the Group Finance Director since July 2011 will immediately assume the role of Chief Operating Officer.

He joined the Delta in December 1996 and has occupied various roles of increasing seniority in operational finance and accounting, becoming the Group Treasurer in 2003.

Mr Valela is a Chartered Accountant who served articles with Schmulian & Sibanda Chartered Accountants and holds a Bachelor of Technology – Accountancy degree from the University of Zimbabwe.

He has participated in leadership and executive development programmes run by leading global institutions.

“The Board congratulates Mr Valela on his appointment and is confident that he will leverage his wealth of knowledge, strategic insights and passion to drive business growth.,” highlighted the Chairman.

“The Board and management of Delta wish to thank Mr Gowero for his valued contribution to the Group and wish him well in his retirement and future endeavours.”

Delta Board Chairman – Canaan Dube

The Delta board has also appointed Mr Alex Makamure as the Group Finance Director with effect from 1 April 2021.

Alex is currently the Company Secretary and Group Treasurer with functional responsibility for Corporate Affairs and Supply Chain.

Mr Makamure joined the Group in 1998 as Finance Manager at Chibuku Breweries Division becoming Divisional Finance Director in 2002.

He served as the General Manager Finance for the combined beverages business from 2003 until his appointment as Company Secretary in January 2006.

He is also a Chartered Accountant (FCAZ) who served articles with Coopers & Lybrand. He holds a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the University of Zimbabwe and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of London.

Delta is recently received the approval of the Competition and Tariff Commission (CTC) to expand its soft drink footprint and distribution network in Manicaland province.

The beverage maker is involved, through its principal subsidiary Delta Beverages, in the brewing of lager and traditional beer and the bottling of soft drinks under licence from the Coca Cola Company.

Following the approval, The Coca-Cola Company has extended its sparkling beverages franchise arrangements to cover the Eastern part of Zimbabwe.

This cements the agreement between Delta and Mutare Bottling Company, who were operating in this franchise territory, for Delta to purchase the operating assets of Mutare Bottling Company.

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