British multinational company Diageo has appointed Anne Joy Michira, the Marketing and Innovations Director at East African Breweries Limited (EABL), to the same role in South, West, and Central Africa (SWC).
Diageo made the announcement on January 31, revealing that Michira would take up her new London-based position from April 1, reporting to John Musunga. Musunga, also a Kenyan, was appointed to lead the newly established SWC business unit in November 2023.
This move marks Michira as the second top Kenyan business executive selected by Diageo, following the appointment of John Musunga as the head of the SWC Africa market in November 2023, effective January 1, 2024.
Michira, with nearly 20 years of experience, joined EABL from British American Tobacco (BAT) in September 2015 and has held various roles in trade and marketing. She became the Marketing Manager for Mainstream Spirits and later progressed to Head of Spirits, then Head of Marketing, Beer for East Africa, before her current role as Marketing and Innovations Director.
John Musunga praised Michira’s experience and track record, highlighting her success in developing and executing Kenya’s spirits portfolio strategy, contributing to the global growth of Johnnie Walker. Mark Ocitti, Managing Director of Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), commended Michira’s role in growing and building some of the company’s major brands in East Africa.
Diageo’s new operating model for Africa includes three markets: Guinness Nigeria, EABL, and the SWC hub, with Musunga assuming the leadership role at Diageo SWC as the Managing Director based in London in January 2024.