International Breweries Plc (IBPLC) has named Nicholas Kade as its new Managing Director, effective 1 March 2026, following the transition of Carlos Coutino to a leadership role within the parent company, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev).
In a statement on Tuesday, IBPLC said Coutino, who served as Managing Director and Business Unit President since January 2023, will take up the role of Managing Director for Honduras and El Salvador within the AB InBev group. Coutino joined IBPLC in 2018 as National Sales and Trade Marketing Director and quickly rose through the ranks, playing a pivotal role during the company’s restructuring.
Under Coutino’s leadership, IBPLC recorded its highest-ever sales volume and market share, returned to profitability after six years of restructuring, and achieved the highest employee engagement score in the country. He also spearheaded the development of a best-in-class digital product, created with local talent, which has since been scaled across six countries.
The IBPLC Board and Management expressed appreciation for Coutino’s contributions and wished him success in his new role.
Nicholas Kade, formerly IBPLC’s Sales Director, brings over 15 years of experience in driving growth and transformation across Africa. He has led national sales strategy, commercial execution, and performance delivery in Nigeria, and has held multiple commercial director roles in South Africa, managing sales strategy, revenue growth, route-to-market execution, and leadership of large, diverse teams.
Kade holds a bachelor’s and honours degree in business management, a Master of Commerce (with distinction) from Stellenbosch University, and a postgraduate business qualification from GIBS Business School, University of Pretoria. He joined AB InBev through a competitive graduate management trainee program, gaining a strong foundation in end-to-end commercial leadership.
IBPLC, part of AB InBev—the world’s largest brewer with over 500 brands including Trophy Lager, Hero Lager, Castle Lite, and Budweiser—said Kade’s appointment reflects the company’s continued commitment to growth and transformation in Nigeria.
This leadership transition signals IBPLC’s focus on sustaining commercial excellence while leveraging global expertise within the AB InBev network.
