East African Breweries Limited #ticker:EABL has appointed Jane Karuku as the new Group managing director, putting her in charge of the operations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
The appointment, which takes effect on January 1, 2021, is a promotion for Ms Karuku who has heading EABL’s subsidiary — Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) — since September 2013.
Ms Karuku replaces Andrew Cowan who moves to EABL’s parent company Diageo as the managing director for Africa regional markets. Mr Cowan was in charge of the beer maker for four and a half years.
“We are delighted to have Ms Jane Karuku take over the role of group managing Director at EABL – Jane brings with her remarkable wealth of experience having served within the board and also managing the Kenya business,” said EABL chairman Martin Oduor-Otieno.
John Musunga, who has been leading GlaxoSmithKline vaccines business in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe will replace Ms Karuku as the new KBL managing director effective March 2021.
Mr Oduor hailed Mr Cowan for steering EABL to growth including turning around its Tanzanian unit, opening a Kisumu plant and deepening investment in Dar es Salaam, Moshi and Kampala breweries.
Ms Karuku becomes the latest top female figure in EABL leadership after Risper Genga Ohaga was last June appointed the group finance director and head of strategy following the exit of Gyorgy Geiszl to Diageo.
She has over 25 years of experience gained in multiple sectors including fast-moving consumer goods and non-governmental organisations.
Ms Karuku holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Science and Technology from the University of Nairobi and an MBA in Marketing from the National University of California.
Her previous senior roles were in organisations such as Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, Cadbury’s East & Central Africa, Telkom Kenya, Farmer’s Choice Kenya and Kenya Co-operative Creameries.
Ms Karuku has also served on several boards including Barclays Bank (now Absa) and led the Kenya Covid-19 Fund Board.She is currently the chairperson of Kenya Vision 2030 and a trustee of Precious Sisters— an organisation that sponsors education for needy girls.
