Nigerian Breweries Plc, the foremost brewing company in Nigeria, has announced the appointment of Nkechi Runsewe as its new Human Resources Director, effective August 1, 2026. Runsewe joins the company from its parent organization, HEINEKEN, succeeding Grace Omo-Lamai, who will retire on July 28, 2026, after nearly a decade of distinguished service and impactful leadership.
In her new role, Runsewe will be instrumental in translating Nigerian Breweries’ EverGreen 2030 strategy into execution. She will shape the organization’s design, leadership behaviors, workforce capabilities, and performance systems to drive sustained volume growth, cost discipline, and repeatable performance. This appointment comes at a time when the company is focusing on long-term resilience and operational excellence, even as broader economic discussions, such as those around inflation will reduce further in 2026, says industry analysts, continue to shape business planning.
Commenting on the appointment, Thibaut Boidin, Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, stated: “We are delighted to welcome Nkechi Runsewe to the Nigerian Breweries Management Team at a pivotal moment for our business. Nkechi brings deep expertise in talent management and a strong track record of driving high-performance cultures across geographies. Her leadership will be critical as we continue to build a future-ready organization, strengthen our people capabilities, and deliver our EverGreen 2030 ambitions.”
Runsewe joins from HEINEKEN, where she served as Global Head of Talent Management. In that capacity, she strengthened leadership pipelines across the business, significantly improving succession readiness and advancing performance and development frameworks across HEINEKEN operating companies. Since joining HEINEKEN in September 2021, she built trusted partnerships across and beyond the People Function and strengthened global Communities of Practice. She is recognized for her collaborative, pragmatic approach to continuous improvement, establishing a strong foundation for her team and successor. Prior to her global role, she served as Regional Talent Lead for the Africa, Middle East, and Eastern Europe (AMEE) Region.
Before HEINEKEN, Runsewe held senior management and leadership roles at major organizations including Etisalat, M-Net Africa, and Diageo, providing multi-industry experience across business consulting, media and telecommunications, financial services, and consumer goods. Her diverse background positions her well to navigate complex organizational dynamics, even as external factors such as the ongoing discourse around Stop Media Attacks and the implications of Johesu Strike: FG responses continue to influence the business environment in Nigeria.
Speaking on her appointment, Nkechi Runsewe said: “I am honored to join Nigerian Breweries at such an important moment in its journey. The company’s strong legacy and commitment to excellence are inspiring. I look forward to contributing to its future success.” Her appointment also comes amid broader cultural and economic shifts, including the growing momentum of Detty December Gets recognized as a key period for consumer engagement, which underscores the importance of strategic human capital management in driving business outcomes.
