EABL’s Alvin Mbugua appointed to head Diageo’s Caribbean & Central America business
Alcoholic beverages company, Diageo, has appointed Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) Managing Director Alvin Mbugua to head its Caribbean & Central America region, the largest beer business unit in Latin America & Caribbean (LAC).
Mr. Mbugua becomes the second Kenyan from East African Breweries Limited to take up a key international posting within Diageo this year. In July, EABL’s Group Human Resources Director Ednah Otieno was appointed as Human Resources Director for Diageo in Great Britain.
Mr. Mbugua moved to UBL, an EABL subsidiary, in July 2019 after a series of roles within the EABL which he joined in May 2013 as the Group Financial Controller. He was then appointed as Finance and Strategy Director for UBL in October of 2015, where he played a huge role in refreshing the UBL strategy which has resulted in double digit growth. In 2018, he was appointed to the role of Head of Sales Nairobi region for Kenya Breweries Limited, where he was successful in deepening the strategic distributor performance and relationships.
He then returned to Uganda in 2019 as Managing Director of UBL. In this role he has been successful in growing the business on the backdrop of an unpredictable environment and restrictions on the alcoholic beverage business as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
Speaking on the appointment, EABL Group Managing Director, Jane Karuku said: “I am extremely delighted for Mr. Mbugua on his appointment to this role. This is in line with our strategy to be a net exporter of talent across the globe. We have great talent in East Africa and we are confident that he will have a great impact in his new role. He will be an inspiring to many other leaders in the region within EABL and beyond.”
His appointment takes effect from 1st September 2021, and he will be based in Panama, leading 37 markets across the Caribbean & Central America region.