Interbrew promotes ex-Whitbread marketer

Former Whitbread sales and marketing director Stewart Gilliland has been appointed regional president of Interbrew UK & Ireland in a global reorganisation of the parent company.

Gilliland is chief executive of Interbrew UK & Ireland, and is to take charge of one of the eight new global operating regions on April 1.

Gilliland previously reported to the executive vice-president of Interbrew Western European zone Ignace Van Doorselaere, who in turn reported to the Interbrew worldwide global operating committee, headed by chief executive Jerry Fowden. Gilliland will report directly to Fowden, and Van Doorselaere will concentrate on his other role as Interbrew’s chief marketer.

Interbrew is abolishing its six international operating zones – Western Europe; Central Europe; Eastern Europe; the Americas; Asia-Pacific; and Australasia – in favour of eight new regions: UK and Ireland; Central Europe; Benelux and France; Southern Europe and Germany; Russia and Ukraine; USA; Canada and Cuba; and Australasia.

Gilliland was promoted from sales director to sales and marketing director at the Whitbread Beer Company in 1998. When Whitbread was taken over by Interbrew in May 2000, he was given the top job at Interbrew UK & Ireland.

Interbrew brands in the UK include Stella Artois, Boddington’s Bitter, Beck’s, Murphy’s Irish Stout, and Heineken Export.