Champion Breweries Plc, the Uyo, Akwa Ibom based brewer has appointed Patrick Ejidoh as its new Managing Director.

Mr. Ejidor takes over from Sharm Ganesh Kulkarm, who is retiring after 28 years in Nigeria, four of which was spent as Managing Director of Champion Breweries. Ejidoh holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and had been the Public Affairs Manager, East for Nigerian Breweries Plc up until his recent appointment.

At a ceremony organized by the company in Uyo, Ejidoh promised to maintain the company’s profitability in managing the brewery while ensuring the optimal welfare of the employees.

“For industrial concern of this magnitude, safety and welfare are paramount,” he said.

He added that the company’s products would be made available in every corner of the market to increase sales and profits which would be returned to shareholders so the business can be sustained. He promised to ensure prudence in the management of the available resources to have optimum results.

“We must be conscious owing to the present economic recession, if you cut cost, there will be no need to hike the prices of our products out of reach of our customers.”

The new MD noted that Champion beer and Champion malt have been brewed to greater taste since the Heineken Group took over the majority share of the company, adding that in a few months, Champion beer and Champ malt drink will be competing with other brands in the market.

Also speaking at the handing over ceremony, Sharm Kulkarni, the outgoing Managing Director, said he was confident that the new MD would take Champion to new heights. He noted that Champion made reasonable profits during his time at the helm.

Elijah Akpan, the company’s chairman, who introduced the new managing director expressed his gratitude to Kulkarni for his immense contributions to the company and wished him well in his new endeavours.

Champion Breweries is a Heineken Group Company, 60.7% owned by Raysun Nigeria Limited, which is a wholly owned company by Heineken N.V. Akwa Ibom State government holds a 10% equity stake in the brewery while other Nigerian investors hold the remaining 29.3%.