United Breweries Appoints Vivek Gupta As MD And CEO

United Breweries Limited (UBL) appointed Vivek Gupta as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer effective 25 September 2023. At 47 years old, Vivek is an engineering graduate with a Master’s in business management from IIM, Ahmedabad.

Vivek Gupta, incoming Managing Director and CEO of UBL said: “It is an honor to stand on the shoulders of greatness and lead UBL into the future. I feel privileged to be entrusted with one of India’s most iconic brands, the Kingfisher beer and the world’s most international brand, Heineken®. I look forward to the journey ahead with the UBL leadership and our colleagues as we brew greatness together.”

Vivek is an executive with homegrown India and global commercial and leadership experience. He brings solid and broad experience from commercial and leadership roles in MNCs and new-age start-ups, both in international markets and India, which feeds his knowledge of go-to-market channels and understanding of operating complex businesses in traditional and digital environments.

Vivek spent over two decades in leadership and commercial roles at P&G, working across various categories, from everyday consumption to premium categories. His last position with P&G was as Managing Director of Australia and New Zealand. He joins UBL from Udaan.com. As Chief Business Officer, he helped build a successful e-B2B business.

Jacco van der Linden, Regional President APAC of HEINEKEN, and Member of the UBL Board, said: “We are thrilled to have Vivek lead UBL at such a critical time. We recognize his resilience in building businesses and brands at a fast pace and in a complex environment. He brings solid global experience deeply rooted in India and has had substantial success in commercial and complex companies in traditional and digital environments.”

Along with the UBL leadership team, Vivek will be responsible for driving sustainable growth for the company. He will lead the premiumization of UBL’s portfolio, including strengthening Kingfisher.

Anand Kripalu, an Independent Member of UBL’s Board of Directors, commented: “On behalf of the Board, we welcome Vivek, a youthful and yet seasoned leader for UBL. Embracing innovation and respecting tradition, our incoming CEO is the perfect blend. His leadership promises to be refreshing - with the potential to transform and leave a lasting impression on the Indian beer industry.”