International Breweries Names Nicholas Kade As MD, Coutino Moves To AB InBev

International Breweries Plc (IBPLC) has announced a leadership transition, appointing Mr Nicholas Kade as its new Managing Director, effective March 1, 2026, as incumbent MD Mr Carlos Coutino moves to a broader leadership role within parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev).

In a statement, IBPLC said Coutino will assume the role of Managing Director for Honduras and El Salvador within the AB InBev group, marking the next phase of his career after an eight-year tenure in Nigeria. Coutino joined the company in 2018 as National Sales and Trade Marketing Director and rose to Managing Director and Business Unit President on January 1, 2023.

During his leadership, International Breweries recorded its highest-ever sales volume and market share and returned to profitability after about six years of restructuring.

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The company also achieved its highest employee engagement score under his tenure, reflecting gains in organisational performance and workplace culture. Coutino additionally led a major digital transformation drive, developing a locally built digital product that has since been scaled across six countries within the AB InBev network.

The Board and Management of International Breweries expressed appreciation for Coutino’s contribution to stabilising operations, strengthening commercial performance and repositioning the business for sustainable growth in Nigeria’s highly competitive brewing market.

Incoming Managing Director Nicholas Kade brings more than 15 years of commercial leadership experience across African markets. Before his appointment, he served as Sales Director at International Breweries Plc, where he led national sales strategy, commercial execution and performance delivery in a complex, high-growth environment.

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Kade joined AB InBev through its Graduate Management Trainee programme and has held multiple senior commercial roles in South Africa, with responsibility for revenue growth, route-to-market execution and leadership of large, diverse teams. His background includes driving customer experience transformation and implementing business enablement initiatives to support long-term commercial performance.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, an Honours degree in Business Management and a Master of Commerce (with Distinction) from Stellenbosch University, as well as a postgraduate qualification from GIBS Business School, University of Pretoria.

International Breweries Plc, a subsidiary of AB InBev, the world’s largest brewer with a portfolio of over 500 brands, produces leading brands in Nigeria, including Trophy Lager, Hero Lager, Castle Lite and Budweiser.

The leadership transition comes as the company consolidates recent performance gains and positions for sustained growth amid Nigeria’s challenging consumer and operating environment.