Diageo Plc has appointed Anne Joy Michira as the new Marketing and Innovations Director for the South, West, and Central Africa (SWC) region.
Michira, currently holding the same position at Diageo’s subsidiary in Kenya, East African Breweries Ltd., will transition to her new role based in London starting April 1.
Michira, with nearly two decades of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods sector, has played a pivotal role in driving EABL’s success.
John Musunga, the head of the newly established SWC business unit, expressed confidence in Michira, stating, “She developed and executed Kenya’s spirits portfolio strategy that has grown value share, with Kenya recording the fastest growth of Johnnie Walker globally in the last financial year.”
The SWC business unit, formed in November 2023, encompasses Southern Africa, the Indian Ocean, West Africa, and Central Africa, including key markets like Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, South Africa, and the Seychelles.
Anne Joy Michira’s journey within Diageo began when she joined EABL from British American Tobacco (BAT) in September 2015.
She climbed the corporate ladder, holding positions such as Head of Spirits and Head of Marketing Beer for East Africa, before assuming her current role in May 2022.
EABL highlighted Michira’s success in Kenya, stating, “Under Anne Joy’s leadership, Kenya witnessed the fastest growth of Johnnie Walker globally, and her work on Senator marketing earned EABL its first-ever Cannes Lion award.”
Mark Ocitti, the Managing Director of Kenya Breweries Limited, said, “Anne Joy has been instrumental in growing and building some of our biggest brands in East Africa.”
“We are happy that once more, one of us has been tapped to take on a bigger role. She stands on the shoulders of giants who have gone to build great careers, drive growth, and make Kenya proud of her sons and daughters.”
Anne Joy Michira is a University of Nairobi Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) degree holder and a Business Daily 2019 Top 40 under 40 achiever.
