Diageo is to sell its 100% shareholding in Diageo Kenya Ltd, which holds 65% of the shares in East African Breweries Ltd (EABL), to Asahi, including its shareholding in the Kenyan spirits business, UDVK.
EABL is the largest beer business in East Africa, with a heritage that dates back over a century. Asahi intends to preserve beloved local brands while introducing globally recognised names from its portfolio to consumers in East Africa.
Diageo has committed to enter into long-term licensing agreements as well as transitional service agreements with EABL. Locally-owned brands, such as Tusker, will remain owned by EABL.
“We are incredibly proud of the achievements of EABL and our colleagues across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania,” said Nik Jhangiani, interim chief executive of Diageo.
“EABL and Diageo have built the largest beer business in East Africa, a testament to driven people with a passion for the consumers and communities they serve. We are excited to partner with Asahi through the licensing of Diageo brands in the region, going forward.”
• The British Beer and Pub Association has issued an urgent call for government to introduce a 30% pub-specific business rates relief.
The demand, after a summit of pub chiefs, came as the BBPA revealed the stark reality facing the sector and urged government to work with the sector to ensure pubs could survive.
Approximately 4,800 of the smallest pubs will now be hit with a business rates bill for the first time, pushing many to the brink.
For the average community pub, which will be hit by a 30% increase in rateable value (RV) and the loss of the vital 40% relief, this revaluation means a 63% rise in bills, roughly £6,000 more each year. Some pubs have seen their RVs double or even triple. Meanwhile, distribution warehouses, often used by online giants, face increases of just 7%.
The summit, which followed a strongly-worded letter to the chancellor, where the sector said it felt misled, has led to the BBPA calling for a 30% pub-specific relief applied to final bills from 1st April 2026.
Without this additional pub relief, the BBPA said that amount in tax could threaten the equivalent of 15,000 jobs.
Meanwhile, Labour MPs have been banned from a number of pubs around the country. A campaign was started Andy Lennox, founder of Fired Up Collective, which operates the Nusara and West Wessex pub companies.
• The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has urged the Scottish government to provide clear and consistent guidance to local licensing boards ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to ensure fans across Scotland can enjoy the tournament responsibly and safely.
In a letter to the first minister, the SBPA welcomed the government’s commitment to work closely with councils in preparation for the event. It highlighted the vital role pubs and bars will play in bringing communities together during Scotland’s historic participation in North America.
The SBPA is also writing to all licensing boards urging them to support the industry this summer by granting extensions.
• Beavertown has reported a loss for a second year. 2023’s loss of £831,546 increased to £2,728,853 in the year ending 31st December, 2024.
Exports declined due to distribution partner rationalisation, said director Denise Martin. “In response to these challenges, the company committed to invest in the brand and customer relations, increase brand awareness, and drive growth in the company’s portfolio through innovation.”
• Former Young’s chief executive Patrick Dardis is to join the board of Timothy Taylor as a non-executive director in February. Prior to Young’s, he had roles at the Guinness and Wolverhampton & Dudley breweries. Mike Bramley will stand down as a non-exec director at Timothy Taylor’s annual meeting in March.
