Mr. Peter Coors reports
MOLSON COORS CEO PETER SWINBURN TO RETIRE AT END OF 2014; BOARD NAMES MOLSON COORS EUROPE CEO MARK HUNTER AS SUCCESSOR
After a 40-year career in the beer business, Peter S. Swinburn, chief
executive officer and president of Molson Coors Canada Inc., has decided to retire from the company
and its board of directors on Dec. 31, 2014. The board has named
Mark R. Hunter, currently CEO and president of Molson Coors Europe and a
25-year industry veteran, as CEO and president of Molson Coors, effective
upon Mr. Swinburn's retirement, at which time he will also join the
company's board. Mr. Swinburn, 61, who has served as Molson Coors's CEO
since 2008, will continue to lead the company until his retirement,
working closely with the board and Mr. Hunter to ensure a smooth
transition.
Peter H. Coors, chairman of the board, said: "On behalf of the board, I
want to thank Peter for his extraordinary contributions over the past
six years as our company's CEO. Peter has personified the values,
culture and performance that have become the hallmark of our
organization, and as a board, we respect his decision to retire and
appreciate his continued leadership through this transition. Peter has
led the company through a period of significant growth and change, with
milestones that include the formation of the MillerCoors JV in the [United States],
the acquisition of StarBev in Europe, and the development of additional
strong and growing global brands. Simply put, we are a stronger, more
global and more dynamic company today as a result of Peter's influence.
"At the same time, we are excited that we have an executive of Mark's
calibre who can seamlessly step into the CEO role," said Mr. Coors.
"Mark is a true leader and brings a deep knowledge of all aspects of our
business, as well as years of exceptional brand building and commercial
beer industry expertise. He is also recognized throughout our
organization for his integrity and belief in the extraordinary people
who make Molson Coors so successful. The board is confident that Mark is
the right person to lead us going forward and continue our strong
momentum."
Mr. Swinburn said: "It has been a privilege to be part of the Molson
Coors organization for the past 12 years, and I am proud of all we have
accomplished during my time here. Molson Coors has the right strategy in
place, a strong financial foundation, and some of the most dedicated and
talented leaders -- like Mark Hunter -- in the beer industry. I am confident
that under Mark's leadership, the company's best days are ahead. At the
same time, it is business as usual at Molson Coors, and we will remain
focused on growing our brands and creating value for shareholders."
Mr. Hunter remarked: "Molson Coors is extremely well positioned for
growth, with world-renowned brands, strong market share across key
geographies, and the most talented and dedicated employees in the
industry. I am grateful to the board for its vote of confidence, and look
forward to working closely with them and with our management team over
the coming months to ensure a seamless transition, and execute on our
strategy for growing brands and shareholder value."
Mr. Hunter biography
Mr. Hunter, 51, most recently served as CEO and president of Molson
Coors Europe since January, 2013. Prior to this role, Mr. Hunter served
as CEO and president of Central Europe since June, 2012, and as CEO and
president of MCBC U.K. from December, 2007, until June, 2012. Previously,
from May, 2005, to November, 2007, he was chief commercial officer for
Molson Coors Canada, where he was responsible for all sales and
marketing activities.
From 1997 to 2005, he served on the board of Bass Brewers Ltd. and Coors
Brewers Ltd. (now MCBC U.K.) as marketing director. During such time,
Mr. Hunter had accountability for the Bass Brewers brand portfolio, including Carling, plus business unit strategy and export development.
From 1989 to 1997, Mr. Hunter held marketing leadership roles for Bass
Brewers. Before joining Bass Brewers in 1989, he held sales positions
with Hallmark Cards and Bulmers Drinks. Mr. Hunter holds a bachelor
(honours) degree in marketing and business administration from the
University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was also
awarded an honorary doctorate in 2009.
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