Carling owner Molson Coors has named Phil Whitehead as president and chief executive of its Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific (APAC) divisions.

Whitehead first started in the UK are Ireland business in 2006 and worked his way up the ranks over his 18-year tenure with the international brewer.

He most recently held the role of managing director of the beverage company’s Western Europe region for the past eight years, and will continue to lead this business until a successor is appointed, and prior to this was European supply chain director.

During his time as Western Europe managing director, he led the continued growth of brands like Carling and Coors, as well as the premiumisation and diversification of the group’s portfolio with world beer brands including Staropramen, Cobra and Madri Excepcional.

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As the brewer expanded beyond the beer aisle, Whitehead also oversaw the acquisition of Aspall Cyder in 2019 and a distribution partnership with Rekorderlig Cider in the UK.

Molson Coors global president and chief executive Gavin Hattersley said: “Throughout his time with our business, Phil has proven himself to be the kind of smart and strategic business leader who is capable of driving successful results for our business. I am confident Phil will put his strong combination of leadership traits to work to the benefit of our EMEA and APAC business, and all of Molson Coors.”

Whitehead added: “It has been an absolute honour to have led our Western Europe business over the past eight years. I have been incredibly fortunate to have worked with a fantastic local team and alongside great customers and peers as part of our wider brewing industry.

“I look forward to taking this next step with a company I am incredibly proud has been my home over the past 18 years; and continuing to work alongside my EMEA and APAC and global colleagues to drive the successful growth of our business.”