Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nigeria's foremost brewing company, has announced the appointment of Nkechi Runsewe as the new Human Resources Director, effective August 1, 2026. Mrs. Runsewe joins the company from its parent organization, HEINEKEN, and succeeds Grace Omo-Lamai, who will retire on July 28, 2026, after nearly a decade of distinguished service and impactful leadership.
Strategic Role in EverGreen 2030
As Human Resources Director, Mrs. Runsewe will play a central role in translating Nigerian Breweries' EverGreen 2030 strategy into execution. She will shape the organization's design, leadership behaviors, workforce capabilities, and performance systems to deliver sustained volume growth, cost discipline, and repeatable performance.
Managing Director's Comments
Commenting on the appointment, the Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Thibaut Boidin, said: “We are delighted to welcome Nkechi Runsewe to the Nigerian Breweries Management Team at a pivotal moment for our business. Nkechi brings deep expertise in talent management and a strong track record of driving high-performance cultures across geographies. Her leadership will be critical as we continue to build a future-ready organization, strengthen our people capabilities, and deliver our EverGreen 2030 ambitions.”
Runsewe's Background at HEINEKEN
Runsewe joins from HEINEKEN, bringing strong global experience in talent management and organizational development. As Global Head of Talent Management at HEINEKEN, she strengthened leadership pipelines across the business, significantly improving succession readiness and advancing performance and development frameworks across HEINEKEN operating companies.
Since joining HEINEKEN in September 2021, Nkechi Runsewe has built trusted partnerships across and beyond the People Function and strengthened global Communities of Practice. She is recognized for her collaborative, pragmatic approach to continuous improvement, establishing a strong foundation for her team and successor. Prior to her current role, she served as Regional Talent Lead for the Africa, Middle East, and Eastern Europe (AMEE) Region.
Previous Experience
Previously, she held senior management and leadership roles at major organizations, including Etisalat, M-Net Africa, and Diageo, providing multi-industry experience across Business Consulting, Media and Telecommunications, Financial Services, and Consumer Goods.
Runsewe's Statement
Speaking on her appointment, Nkechi Runsewe said: “I am honored to join Nigerian Breweries at such an important moment in its journey. The company's strong legacy, combined with its forward-looking EverGreen 2030 strategy, presents a unique opportunity to build an even stronger, high-performing organization. I look forward to working closely with our teams to strengthen our leadership capabilities, deepen our talent pipeline, and foster a culture where our people can thrive and deliver sustainable growth for the business.”
Acknowledgment of Outgoing HR Director
As the company transitions to new leadership in the Human Resources function, it also takes the opportunity to appreciate Grace Omo-Lamai, who will retire from Nigerian Breweries on July 28, 2026, after nearly a decade of distinguished service as Human Resources Director. Under her leadership, Nigerian Breweries earned first-time Great Place To Work Silver recognition in 2021 and Top Employer Certification in Nigeria and Africa in 2026, alongside honors from the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, the International Coaching Federation Nigeria Chapter, HR People Magazine, and the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association.
