BRUSSELS — Belgian brewery InBev has confirmed the appointment of Portuguese Miguel Patricio as the new chief of its Belgium and Luxembourg division, effective from 1 January 2006.

He replaces the reportedly voluntarily departing Belgian Frederic de Radigues. The Belgium and Luxembourg division is to become a separate business unit.

According to French-language financial newspaper ‘l’Echo’, the appointment is a continuation of a process in which key executive positions at the brewer are going towards foreigners.

The Brazilian Juan Vergara will soon be promoted to the executive board of management, responsible for purchasing. The position was previously in the hands of Belgian André Weckx.

Among the financial directors, Belgian Patrice Thys departed as chief of the Asia-Pacific region several months ago to be replaced by the American Brent Willis.

An InBev spokeswoman denied the appointments were a conscious strategy. “There are a lot of Belgians working for InBev abroad, it works in both directions,” she said.

The management of InBev is made up of five Brazilians, three Americans and six Europeans, including three Belgians.

[Copyright Expatica News 2005]

Subject: Belgian news