SABMiller poaches global P&G marketer

SABMiller, owner of Peroni and Pilsner Urquell, has poached Procter & Gamble marketing director Chris Ritchie to lead its European marketing operations.

Ritchie starts as SABMiller Europe marketing director in October. He will report to SABMiller Europe managing director Alan Clark and will be based in Budapest. Ritchie will work with brand teams across the brewery giant’s European markets and will integrate the group’s international premium offer.

He joins after 11 years at Procter & Gamble, most recently as global marketing director for the Olay skincare brand.

The marketing director for Miller Brands UK is Jean-Pierre van Lin and group marketing director is Nick Fell. The company recently appointed Helen Pyman as group marketing development director, reporting to Fell.

SABMiller has operations in nine European countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy and Russia. Its brands include local beers Tyskie and Kozel and international brands such as Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Miller Genuine Draft.

In the financial year to March 31, SABMiller Europe increased lager volumes by 6%.