SABMiller names new Foster's chief

New Foster's chief, Ari Mervis.

Mervis, who will be based in Melbourne Australia, will be responsible for the Foster's business and the integration of Foster's into the SABMiller group.

In addition he will retain responsibility for the Asia Pacific region and will continue in his role as Chairman of the Company's joint venture in China - CR Snow.

"Ari has been Managing Director of our Asia business since October 2007 and was the sponsor of the Foster's acquisition. Since joining SABMiller in 1989 he has held a number of senior positions in the organisation, including Managing Director of Appletiser and Managing Director of SABMiller's operations in Russia and Australia," commented SABMiller Chief Executive Graham Mackay.

"Ari brings a wealth of experience from across the SABMiller group and knowledge of Australia having established SABMiller's joint venture there in 2006. He is ideally qualified to lead the integration of Foster's into the SABMiller group and to deliver value from the acquisition for all stakeholders."

The SABMiller regional office will remain in Hong Kong and a new Managing Director Asia, reporting to Mervis, will be appointed to oversee SABMiller's businesses in India and Vietnam, its ongoing regional business development and export operations, as well as providing support to CR Snow.

SABMiller and John Pollaers have agreed that Pollaers will step down as Chief Executive of Foster's on 16 December, but to ensure a smooth transition he will be available to provide advice to SABMiller during the first few months of 2012.

Acknowledging Pollaers' achievements at Foster's, Mackay said: "John has made a significant contribution to the Foster's business, putting in place a number of successful initiatives upon which we expect to build to further enhance Foster's performance. We are grateful to John for his cooperation throughout the transitional process and we wish him success in the future".