Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria Plc, the nation’s leading brewer, Mr. John O’Keeffe, during his first official outing since resuming office paid a courtesy visit to the management of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and was given the honour of ringing the closing gong to bring trading activities to a close for the day.
Mr O’Keeffe who made the visit with members of his Executive leadership team said that the visit was appropriate because of the long standing partnership that the two institutions have shared. “Guinness has a long and rich history in Nigeria and with the NSE having first listed here in 1965 and today being one of the top listed companies on the platform. I am aware of this great partnership and I and my executive team are committed to doing all that we can to continue this partnership to our mutual benefit.”
During the visit, Mr O’Keeffe used the opportunity to share his strategic plans towards enhancing operational efficiencies and maximising shareholder value for Guinness Nigeria. He discussed the depth of investment that Guinness Nigeria and its parent company, Diageo Plc have made in the Nigerian economy, including a N52b investment into increasing capacity launched in 2011 and recently completed at two of the organisations plants in Lagos and Benin. He went on to add that this level of investment was testament to the belief of the organisation in the potential of the Nigerian economy. “As well as extensive investments in the economy, we are investing behind our core brands like Guinness, Harp and Malta Guinness and are always looking for fresh new innovations to bring to market to meet the needs of our esteemed consumers.”
Mr. O’Keeffe also spoke about the company’s strength in innovation. Diageo is well known globally for its track record of successful innovation. “About 18 months ago, we launched Orijin, which is made using natural herbs and fruits. The brand only uses natural sugar and contains no artificial sweeteners, unlike some of its competitors in the market which have as part of their ingredients at least two artificial sweeteners. It is the original and biggest bitters brand in the market and I am not surprised that discerning Nigerian consumers have embraced it. I wish to assure our consumers that they can expect more of such innovation from our stable in the near future”.
While responding, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema, OON, said the exchange was committed to supporting corporate organisations. “Corporate organisations form one of the most critical stakeholders of the exchange, without which, we are just an ordinary market. We maintain a strong relationship with our corporate partners and also provide value for the companies that choose to list in the exchange.”
Following the discussions, Mr O’Keeffe was invited to conduct the closing ceremony, an event that is used to signify the end of the trading activities at Stock Exchanges across the globe.
Guinness Nigeria was established in 1950 and listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1965 and it has popular brands like Smirnoff Ice, Snapp, Dubic lager and Orijin, under its belt.
Mr O’Keeffe who made the visit with members of his Executive leadership team said that the visit was appropriate because of the long standing partnership that the two institutions have shared. “Guinness has a long and rich history in Nigeria and with the NSE having first listed here in 1965 and today being one of the top listed companies on the platform. I am aware of this great partnership and I and my executive team are committed to doing all that we can to continue this partnership to our mutual benefit.”
During the visit, Mr O’Keeffe used the opportunity to share his strategic plans towards enhancing operational efficiencies and maximising shareholder value for Guinness Nigeria. He discussed the depth of investment that Guinness Nigeria and its parent company, Diageo Plc have made in the Nigerian economy, including a N52b investment into increasing capacity launched in 2011 and recently completed at two of the organisations plants in Lagos and Benin. He went on to add that this level of investment was testament to the belief of the organisation in the potential of the Nigerian economy. “As well as extensive investments in the economy, we are investing behind our core brands like Guinness, Harp and Malta Guinness and are always looking for fresh new innovations to bring to market to meet the needs of our esteemed consumers.”
Mr. O’Keeffe also spoke about the company’s strength in innovation. Diageo is well known globally for its track record of successful innovation. “About 18 months ago, we launched Orijin, which is made using natural herbs and fruits. The brand only uses natural sugar and contains no artificial sweeteners, unlike some of its competitors in the market which have as part of their ingredients at least two artificial sweeteners. It is the original and biggest bitters brand in the market and I am not surprised that discerning Nigerian consumers have embraced it. I wish to assure our consumers that they can expect more of such innovation from our stable in the near future”.
While responding, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema, OON, said the exchange was committed to supporting corporate organisations. “Corporate organisations form one of the most critical stakeholders of the exchange, without which, we are just an ordinary market. We maintain a strong relationship with our corporate partners and also provide value for the companies that choose to list in the exchange.”
Following the discussions, Mr O’Keeffe was invited to conduct the closing ceremony, an event that is used to signify the end of the trading activities at Stock Exchanges across the globe.
Guinness Nigeria was established in 1950 and listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1965 and it has popular brands like Smirnoff Ice, Snapp, Dubic lager and Orijin, under its belt.
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