A deeper insight into the choice of former Managing Director of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, Mr Peter Ndegwa, as the new managing director/chief executive officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc emerged at the weekend, indicating that fate played a very important role in the appointment.
Ndegwa succeeded John O’keefe, who recently became president of Diageo, the parent company of Guinness Nigeria Plc.
Sources told SocietyGists that Ndegwa landed the job because the two senior officials of the company initially favoured ahead of him were unable to assume the office due to one reason or the other.
Sources told SocietyGists that a Nigerian, Ekwunife Okoli, and Soren Laudrisen were considered ahead of the equally highly rated Ndegwa.
According to findings, Okoli, was considered during the search for John O’keefe’s replacement but was dropped because his retirement date was fast approaching at the period and the company was wary of being perceived as fond of frequently changing its managing director.
SocietyGists source who preferred anonymity, said Okoli came highly rated based on his experience and understanding of the internal workings of the Diageo business, the parent company of Guinness Nigeria Plc.
“Ekwunife Okoli is a top Diageo man and understands the business inside out, unfortunately he was already one leg in retirement when a replacement for John O’Keefe was being sought. He actually got a look in and would have clinched the job but for the reason I have given. You know he’s risen so high in the Diageo hierarchy from his days at Guinness Nigeria,” the source informed.
THISDAY source also recalled that Okoli was elevated to the Diageo UK operations from Guinness Nigeria Plc a few years ago after he shunned attempts by a leading telecommunications firm to poach him.
However, when contacted, Director, Corporate Relation Guinness Nigeria, Sesan Sobowale, explained that the decision on the appointment of the Managing Director was that of the Board of Directors in line with the set guidelines, adding that he was not privy to the process. He also added that Diageo has a succession plan and going by the office that Okoli currently holds as Managing Director, Africa Regional Market, he was not in the succession plan.
“The decision on the appointment of Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc is that of the Board and I am not privy to it. However, Diageo has set rules as regards filling such roles and there is a line of succession. I don’t think Mr. Ekwunife Okoli is in that line. As Managing Director, Africa Regional Market, becoming MD Guinness Nigeria Plc will not be a promotion; but it will be for Mr. Ndegwa who is coming from a smaller market like Ghana,” Sobowale stated.
It will be recalled that weeks after announcing the appointment of Laudrisen as replacement for O’Keefe, management of the leading brewing concern made a detour and announced Ndegwa. Ndegwa, who was Managing Director, Guinness Ghana at the time, will assume the office come July ending because “Lauridsen, who was previously announced as Mr. O’Keeffe’s replacement has unfortunately decided to leave his position as Managing Director for Guinness Nigeria due to personal, family related reasons, effective end June.”
The source also added that “Peter Ndegwa also came highly rated. He understands the business; His resume also speaks volume of what he brings to the table.”
According to reports, Peter holds an MBA from the London Business School and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nairobi and is also a qualified accountant. He has over 10 years working experience in East Africa and the United Kingdom with the global accountancy and consulting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers. He joined Diageo in 2004 in East Africa as Strategy Director for East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL), a Diageo’s subsidiary. He was later (then) appointed Sales Director in 2006 and Group Finance Director much later in 2008.
Peter was appointed Managing Director of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited in 2011 with end to end (supply and demand) accountability for the P&L and commercial priorities of the business. He has overseen a complete reframe of the business despite some very tough external operating conditions – substantial currency devaluation, slowing GDP growth and high cost of doing business.
Peter is a highly effective and accomplished business leader with a proven track record in strategic and commercial leadership spanning over 20years. He excels in orchestrating strategic change, driving organizational and team alignment and building momentum around business priorities and delivering superior business results. Peter leverages both his natural authenticity and strong diverse experience across a set of functional areas (strategy, sales, finance, consulting) to create impetus in organisations and teams. He has been particularly successful in creating highly engaged teams and organisations.
As previously announced, Mr John O’Keeffe will resume in his new role as President, Diageo Africa with effect from 1st July 2015. To replace him as Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc will be Mr Peter Ndegwa, who is currently Managing Director of Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited. Mr Soren Lauridsen, who was previously announced as Mr O’Keeffe’s replacement has unfortunately decided to leave his position as Managing Director for Guinness Nigeria due to personal, family related reasons, effective end June.