Poland: SABMiller announces managing director of its Polish subsidiary

SABMiller plc announced on March 9 the appointment of Mark Bowman as Managing Director of Kompania Piwowarska (“KP”), its Polish subsidiary, with effect from 1 May 2006. Mr. Bowman will take over from Karl Lippert who was appointed President of Bavaria, SABMiller’s Colombian business.

Mark Bowman joins KP from Amalgamated Beverage Industries (“ABI”), SABMiller’s South African soft drink division and part of SAB Ltd, where he currently holds the position of Managing Director of ABI and Chairman of Appletiser. ABI is SABMiller’s largest Coca-Cola partner company, with volumes of 14 million hectolitres and revenue of just over $1 billion.

SABMiller’s largest business in Europe, KP is the most profitable company in the brewing industry in Poland with a market share of 37% and lager volume sales exceeding 11.2 million hectolitres. In the financial year ended on 31 March 2005, KP achieved a net profit of $148 million on sales revenue of more than $1 billion. Its brand portfolio includes Zubr, Lech, Pilsner Urquell, and the international award winning Tyskie.

Alan Clark, Managing Director of SABMiller Europe, said: “After successfully running one of the world’s largest Coke bottling companies, Mark brings a breadth of experience and knowledge that will help Kompania Piwowarska to continue to outperform the Polish market and drive sustainable growth throughout the business. My colleagues in Europe and I welcome Mark to his new role and look forward to working with him to further the great momentum at Kompania Piwowarska.”

Mark Bowman commented: “I have been extremely fortunate to work with a great team at ABI and in combination with our partner Coca-Cola, we have been able to drive continual strong performances over the past three years. I look forward to the opportunity and challenges of helping to build upon what is already an extraordinary business at Kompania Piwowarska.”

Mr. Bowman joined SABMiller’s beer division in 1993 and has held various positions ranging from logistics, sales, distribution, IT and Corporate Strategy. He left the company for three years in 1999, when he held the role of Managing Director of Dimension Data Software in South Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and an MBA.

SABMiller plc is one of the world’s largest brewers with brewing interests or distribution agreements in over 60 countries across five continents. The group’s brands include premium international beers such as Miller Genuine Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as well as an exceptional range of market leading local brands. Outside the USA, SABMiller plc is also one of the largest bottlers of Coca-Cola products in the world.

In the year ended 31 March 2005, the group reported US$2,194 million pre-tax profit and a turnover of US$14,543 million on a UK GAAP basis. SABMiller plc is listed on the London and Johannesburg stock exchanges.

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