EABL names Jane Karuku as its new Managing Director

East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has named Jane Karuku as the firm’s new Managing Director effecting from January 1, 2021.

Mrs. Karuku replaces Andrew Cowan who ends his four and a half years stint at the helm of the multinational involved in alcohol beverages manufacturing.

Cowan is however expected to retain his place on the board of EABL as he takes up a new role in the Diageo’s (EABL parent company) global business.

Karuku is presently the Managing Director of Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), EABL’s Kenyan subsidiary.

Her role on KBL is set to be taken over by John Musunga who joins from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) where he headed the firm’s vaccine business in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in his most recent appointment.

“We are delighted to have Mrs. Karuku take over the role of Group Managing Director at EABL. Jane brings with her remarkable wealth of experience having served within the Board and managing the Kenya business. I am very confident that her depth of expertise and knowledge of the business will lead the Group to future growth in line with our strategy,” noted EABL Board Chairman Martin Oduor-Otieno.

The EABL Board has described Jane Karuku as a dynamic business leader whose experience in fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) spans to over 25 years.

Prior to joining EABL’s Kenyan subsidiary, Karuku held various positions including as the President of the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) alongside senior positions in Cadbury and Telkom Kenya.

Her career has trounced just corporate appointments having also served on various boards outside the corporate world including her current role as the Trustee of Precious Sisters, a non-profit organisation empowering unprivileged girls through education.

She is the current chairperson of the Kenya Vison 2030 Board and recently led the Kenyan COVID-19 Fund Board created by President Uhuru Kenyatta to marshal funds for combating the present global health crisis.