Diageo appoints Segun Ogunleye as Head of Marketing for Africa Partner Markets
AFRICA – Beverage giant Diageo has announced the appointment of Segun Ogunleye as Head of Marketing for Africa Partner Markets.
In addition to this role, he will also serve as Beer Lead for South, West, and Central Africa.
Ogunleye brings extensive experience in brand building and marketing strategy, having spent over a decade at SBC, the PepsiCo bottler in Nigeria.
During his tenure, he led marketing initiatives across various beverage categories, including Carbonated Soft Drinks, Energy, Malt, and Isotonics, while also exploring opportunities in the Home & Personal Care sector.
His career spans diverse industries, having worked with several leading global companies. He began his professional journey at Mondelez International as a Communications Specialist before moving to MullenLowe Lintas Group as Manager, Strategy.
He later joined Nike as Brand/Marketing Communications Manager, where he strengthened his expertise in brand building and consumer engagement.
Expressing his excitement about the new role, Ogunleye stated, “I am beyond thrilled to embark on a new chapter as Head of Marketing, Africa Partner Markets at Diageo! My journey at SBC was truly rewarding, filled with learning and innovation. Now, I look forward to joining the Diageo family, contributing to the powerful legacy of celebrating life, every day, everywhere. I’m excited to work with an exceptional team, drive growth, and create unforgettable brand experiences.”
In his new capacity, he will oversee the development and execution of marketing strategies aimed at strengthening Diageo’s presence across Africa. Working closely with regional teams, he will focus on driving brand engagement and market expansion efforts.
“I am eager to join Diageo’s talented team and contribute to the company’s growth in Africa’s dynamic beverage industry,” he added.
Ogunleye’s appointment comes shortly after Diageo sold its 80.4% stake in Guinness Ghana Breweries to French beverage company Castel Group for US$81 million.
This divestment follows similar moves, including the sale of its Guinness brewing operations in Cameroon to Castel in 2022 and its Guinness Nigeria shares to Singapore-based consumer group Tolaram in 2023.
Diageo’s recent divestments align with its broader strategy to restructure operations in West Africa for long-term growth and efficiency.
The Guinness Ghana transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed within the calendar year. Despite the sale, Guinness Ghana will continue to be listed on the Ghanaian Stock Exchange.
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