MEXICO – Mexico’s dairy company Grupo Lala has named former AB InBev executive Mauricio Leyva Arboleda as its new CEO, replacing current chief executive Scot Rank as of 1 September 2018.
According to FoodBev, Mauricio Leyva worked for more than 13 years at AB InBev, was president of its middle Americas zone and has been CEO of Grupo Modelo.
Grupo Lala said “he was instrumental in the successful integration of SABMiller” and the expansion of the Corona beer brand internationally with constant double-digit growth.
He has more than 25 years of experience managing global consumer, commercial and communications companies in Europe, the US, Africa, Central America and South America, including his native Colombia.
“The appointment of Mauricio Leyva confirms the confidence we have in the beginning of a next chapter that will allow us to capitalise on the investments we have been making in recent years, resume growth and reactivate Lala’s profitability.
Mauricio is a leader with vast experience in consolidating and profitably growing businesses,” said Grupo Lala president Eduardo Tricio.
“On behalf of Grupo Lala’s board of directors, I thank Scot for his contributions to our company, which marked the beginning of our global expansion with new operational capabilities, always showing great leadership that earned him the recognition of both his team and the entire organisation.”
FoodBev added that last year, Grupo Lala bought Brazilian dairy producer Vigor for US$1.84 billion as it seeks to grow its business outside Mexico.
