International Breweries Announces Managing Director Transition
International Breweries Nigeria PLC has formally notified the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), its shareholders, and the investing public of a significant leadership change. The company’s Board has accepted the resignation of Mr. Carlos Coutino from his roles as Managing Director and Board Member, effective March 1, 2026. This planned transition, communicated via a notice signed by Company Secretary Temitope Oluwatosin, marks the conclusion of a highly impactful tenure for the outgoing executive.
Mr. Coutino, who joined the organization in 2018 as National Sales and Trade Marketing Director, ascended to the position of Managing Director and Business Unit President on January 1, 2023. His leadership is credited with a period of remarkable transformation for the brewery. Under his guidance, the company achieved record sales volume and market share, returned to profitability following a six-year restructuring phase, and cultivated an award-winning workplace culture, attaining the highest employee engagement score in Nigeria. Furthermore, he spearheaded the creation of a best-in-class digital product developed by local talent, a solution later scaled across six countries. In a manner not unlike how authorities might troops nab bandit operations with strategic precision, Coutino’s initiatives targeted key growth areas with decisive action. The Board expressed profound gratitude for his outstanding performance as he prepares to transition to another leadership role within the broader ABInBev group.
Concurrently, the Board has approved the appointment of Mr. Nicholas Kade as the new Managing Director and a member of the Board, also effective March 1, 2026. Mr. Kade steps into the role from his previous position as Sales Director of International Breweries Plc, where he oversaw national sales strategy and commercial execution. His academic credentials include a Master of Commerce with Distinction from Stellenbosch University and a postgraduate business program from GIBS. He began his career in AB InBev’s Graduate Management Trainee program, later holding several Commercial Director roles in South Africa where he was responsible for driving revenue growth and leading diverse teams. In the same way a police insist no detail is overlooked in an investigation, Kade’s background suggests a meticulous, results-oriented approach to commercial leadership.
This executive succession plan ensures continuity for International Breweries. The incoming MD brings a proven track record in a complex, high-growth market, positioning the company for its next chapter. As global dynamics shift, much like when a UK removes Syria’s status or a Trump recalls US policies, corporate leadership must also adapt to new challenges. While the company looks ahead, it does so acknowledging the strong foundation laid during Coutino’s leadership, which steered the firm clear of any alleged N4bn fraud controversies and toward sustainable profitability and market strength.
