Champion Breweries new CEO assumes duty
Champion Breweries Plc has announced that Mr Malolan Sampath has formally assumed office as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 September 2026.
The company disclosed this in an official corporate notification released on Tuesday on the Nigerian Exchange Limited, following an earlier announcement by the Board of Directors regarding his appointment as part of the brewing entity’s leadership transition strategy.
The formal notification to the market was issued on behalf of the Board of Directors and signed by the Company Chairman, Mr Imo-Abasi Jacob.
“With his extensive experience in manufacturing excellence, commercial execution, business transformation and leadership across diverse markets, the Board is confident that Mr. Sampath will provide the strategic leadership required to advance the Company’s objectives, strengthen its market position and deliver sustainable long-term value to shareholders and other stakeholders,” the Board stated in the official disclosure.
The leadership change comes at a pivotal period for Champion Breweries as it navigates intense macroeconomic headwinds, currency fluctuations and rising input costs impacting the Nigerian fast-moving consumer goods and brewing sub-sectors. The company has undergone major corporate restructuring in recent times following core equity acquisitions aimed at streamlining operational efficiency, expanding regional market penetration from its South-South operational base in Akwa Ibom State, and driving commercial execution across national channels.
Sampath brings over 26 years of international executive leadership experience across the beverage, fast-moving consumer goods, manufacturing and agro-industrial sectors, with a proven track record of driving business transformation across diverse African markets.
His background in the brewing and beverage sector includes serving as Managing Director of Unique Beverages in Angola and Sales and Marketing Director for a PepsiCo bottling franchise.
Prior to his current appointment at Champion Breweries Plc, Sampath held the dual position of Managing Director of the NPK Joint Venture and Chief Marketing Officer at Indorama Eleme Fertilizers in Nigeria.
He also previously served as CEO of Global Industries Limited, a Wilmar International joint venture in Zambia.
He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development in Pune, India, alongside a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Chennai.
Welcoming the new chief executive, the Board of Directors expressed confidence in his capacity to steer the company through its next operational phase.
The Board also commended Mr Rasheed Adebiyi, Executive Director of Finance, for his dedicated leadership and commitment while serving as Acting Managing Director during the transition period.
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