30 June 2008
CEO Succession
The Board of Asia Pacific Breweries Limited (“APB”) announces that Mr Koh
Poh Tiong will relinquish his position as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of
APB with effect from the end of the financial year on 30 September 2008.
Mr Koh joined the Company, then known as Malayan Breweries Limited, in
1985 and served as General Manager of the Singapore brewery until 1991,
when he was appointed Deputy Group General Manager. He was promoted
to CEO and Director on 1 October 1993. Having been at the helm of APB for
23 years, he is credited with implementing APB’s successful regional
expansion, which began in the early 1990’s, when the APB Group owned only
5 breweries in 3 countries and was heavily dependent on the profits from
Singapore.
Mr Simon Israel, APB Chairman, said, “On behalf of the Board I would like
to extend our appreciation to Mr Koh for his leadership and outstanding
contribution to APB’s development. As CEO he has built APB into a
leading regional brewer with 30 breweries in 12 countries. Mr Koh steps
down with APB well positioned for growth on strong fundamentals. I am
pleased to advise that Mr Koh will remain a member of the Board of
Directors of APB.”
Mr Koh said, “After 23 years with the Company, 15 years of which has
been as its CEO, it is time for me to move on. Looking back, the greatest
professional satisfaction I have derived is from driving growth and
realising the fruits of our labour. All these would not have been
possible without the talent, passion, fortitude, loyalty, cooperation and
support of my team; and, I would like to pay tribute to them for their
excellent efforts and contributions. I would also like to express my deep
appreciation to APB Chairmen, Dr Michael Fam and Mr Simon Israel,
and Board members for their unstinting support and invaluable advice
rendered to me and my team over the years.”
Mr Roland Pirmez to be Appointed as Chief Executive Officer
The Board also announces that on 1 October 2008, Mr Roland Pirmez will be
appointed Chief Executive Officer of APB. To facilitate a smooth handover,
Mr Pirmez will join APB on 1 September 2008 as CEO-Designate.
Mr Roland Pirmez who is of Belgian nationality, aged 48, has an Engineering
degree in Agriculture with a Master’s degree in Brewing. Mr Pirmez, with 23
years in the beer industry, is presently CEO of Heineken Russia, a position he
has held since 2002. He is no stranger to APB and the region, as he was
General Manager of APB’s associate, Thai Asia Pacific Brewery Co Ltd, for 4
years from 1998 to 2002, just prior to his returning to the Heineken
organisation to assume his current position in Russia. Before Thailand, Mr
Pirmez held different positions in Africa, and joined Heineken as Managing
Director–Angola in 1996. Mr Pirmez will resign from the Heineken Group
before taking on his role of CEO-Designate on 1 September 2008.
Mr Simon Israel said, “Mr Pirmez is a seasoned international CEO, with a
proven track record of working with partners and building high growth
businesses in emerging markets. In his last role as CEO Heineken
Russia, he transformed the business to become the 3rd largest player in
the third largest beer market in the world. We are delighted to have Mr
Pirmez to lead the next phase of the Company’s development.”
Mr Roland Pirmez said, “It is an honour for me to return to APB as its
CEO; and, I am very pleased to take over from Mr Koh a company which
is successful, in good stead and poised for further growth. Together
with the team, I look forward to leveraging on the strength of the
Company and its brand portfolio and taking it to greater heights.”
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