World: Carlsberg announces new head for Central & Eastern Europe and India region

Carlsberg has concluded the search for its next regional executive VP for the ‘Central & Eastern Europe and India’ region, Global Drinks Intel reported.

Nikos Kalaitzidakis will assume the position “no later than March”, the group said on December 12. The appointment comes four months after previous incumbent Lars Lehmann lined up his departure at the end of this month after 21 years with Carlsberg.

Moving across from food and beverage conglomerate The Olayan Group, Kalaitzidakis worked for Coca-Cola HBC for just under 18 years, rising to become the regional director for south-east Europe for five years before moving to Olayan in September 2023.

“Nikos Kalaitzidakis comes with extensive FMCG expertise,” said CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen. “His vast work experience from more than 40 countries puts him in a perfect position to take over the leadership of the Carlsberg Group’s CEEI region … .”

‘Central & Eastern Europe and India’ was Carlsberg’s strongest-performing region in the three months to the end of September. delivering a rise in sales of just under 10%. The brewer also completed the buyout of its joint-venture partner in India and Nepal, CSAPL (Singapore) Holdings, earlier this year.

E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .