Simon George steps down from Budweiser Budvar UK board

Budweiser Budvar National Corporation has announced that Simon George is to step down from the UK board of Budweiser Budvar in the New Year.

Petr Dvořák, Budweiser Budvar NC managing director, commented: "We are extremely grateful to Simon for all his hard work and effort over the past seven years – he leaves our business with our very best wishes and sincere thanks.

"Simon and the UK team have done a great job in building the Budvar brand. In particular, we are pleased with the brand performance in the UK, and we are particularly proud of the latest market share data showing we are the fastest-growing Czech brand in the GB off trade."

Jitka Vlčková will join the management team initially as joint managing director, alongside George, as part of an extensive handover.

George said: "I have loved my time here but it's now the right time for me to handover and embrace a new challenge. I am very grateful for the support that I have received during my time here at BBUK from our chairman Renata Pánková, and I wish the rest of the board well for the future.

"The appointment of Jitka means the UK business is in great hands as the team prepares for Brexit and the full roll out of our "Greetings from the Republic of Beer" programme to the UK on trade."