The Board of Directors of Nigerian Breweries Plc, the country’s leading brewing company, has announced the appointment of Maria Karaseva as Finance Director and Guillaume Duverdier as Non-Executive Director. Duverdier succeeds Mr. Sijbe “Siep” Hiemstra, who recently retired from the Board, while Karaseva takes over from Bernardus A. Wessels Boer, who concluded his tenure as Finance Director on August 31, 2025.
Acording to the Company Secretary/Legal Director, Uaboi Agbebaku, the appointments of Duverdier and Karaseva became effective recently.
Prior to his appointment to the board, Mr. Duverdier has been a seasoned executive within the HEINEKEN Group, with his recent role being the HEINEKEN Regional President for Africa and the Middle East.He is expected to bring to the board over two decades of strategic and operational experience across Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
Mrs. Karaseva joined the Company as the Chief Finance Officer of Al Ahram Beverages (the HEINEKEN operating company in Egypt). She has extensive experience in finance and corporate strategy in the consumer goods sector.
At NB Plc, Hiemstra served in various capacities including in interim capacity as chairman where he was responsible for the successful execution of a business recovery plan that returned the Company to profitability.Boer equally played a key role in the recent positive turnaround in the Company’s financial position, including the massive reduction of the Company’s debt as well as the elimination of foreign exchange-denominated debts and the interests thereon.
According to the statement, the board is pleased to welcome Duverdier and Karaseva to the Company and looks forward to the wealth of experience and knowledge they will be bringing to the team.
Following these appointments, the board will now comprise of Juliet C. Anammah-Chairman; Thibaut F.B. Boidin -Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer; Mrs. Olufunmilayo A. Akande; Mrs. A.O Aroyewun; Guillaume B.M. Duverdier (French); Mrs. Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli; J.A.A Overmars(Dutch); R. Pirmez(Belgian); I.A Puri; and Mrs. Maria Karaseva (Russian).
