SABMiller appoints new marketing chief

International brewer SABMiller has confirmed the appointment of Nick Fell as its new group marketing director effective from the start of next month.

Mr Fell's brief is to develop the marketing drive behind the group's key brands, whch include Peroni, Pilsner Urquell and Miller Genuine Draft.

He joins the business from Cadbury Schweppes, where he was in charge of global commercial strategy, and is best known in the drinks trade from his stint at Diageo, where he was global marketing director for Guinness and global brands director for Johnnie Walker.

SABMiller chief executive Graham Mackay said: "I am delighted to welcome Nick to the SABMiller group. He has an impressive track record in consumer marketing having built a range of international beer and spirits brands and this experience, combined with his insight into the complexities of managing international brands in multinational businesses, will greatly benefit SABMiller.

"Continuing to build and nurture our brands, to ensure that they are the first choice of consumers, is essential to the success of the business and Nick and his marketing colleagues across the business will have an important role to play in this regard - particularly when in comes to ensuring that we stay ahead of the competition, not just in the beer category but also in those of wines and spirits."

Mr Fell said:"I am pleased to be joining SABMiller. It is clearly a leader in the brewing sector with a strong global footprint and some great beer brands. I look forward to working with the team and believe my experience will assist the business to deliver further growth particularly in the areas of innovation and the move to premium and international brands."