Nigerian Breweries MD, Vervelde, quits

Nigerian Breweries Plc has said that its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, will complete his assignment in the company on June 16, 2017 to take up a new role within the Heineken Group outside Nigeria.

A statement from the firm’s Corporate Affairs Adviser, Kufre Ekanem, on Thursday said in anticipation of and preparatory to assuming his new role, Vervelde had submitted a letter of resignation to the board of directors at the board meeting held on Wednesday.

“The board accepted the resignation, which will take effect on the 16th of June 2017 and has informed the Nigerian Stock Exchange of the development,” it stated.

Having previously served on the board as a non-executive director, Vervelde rejoined the board on the August 1, 2010 as managing director/chief executive officer, and has successfully managed the affairs of the company ever since, according to the company.

The statement said the company had recorded several laudable milestones with Vervelde at the helm of affairs, including the expansion of its operations through the acquisition of additional breweries.

Through a twin agenda of cost and market Leadership supported by innovation, the statement said the company also expanded its portfolio of brands while equally focusing on internal efficiencies.

The company ensured a consistently good return on investment for its shareholders throughout his tenure despite the recent challenges of the operating environment, it added.

“The board has immediately commenced the process of identifying a replacement for Vervelde and will make an announcement in that regard in due course,” it stated.