Uganda’s Mark Ocitti appointed new Kenya Breweries Ltd MD
Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), a subsidiary of Diageo/East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL) has announced the appointment of Ugandan, Mark Ocitti as their new managing director.
“Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark ocitti as Managing Director, effective March 1, 2023,” the company announced in a statement.
Ociti replaces John Musunga who left KBL in October 2021, to join Guinness Nigeria.
About Mark Ocitti, KBL’s new managing director
Mark Ocitti is a Ugandan with over 20 years of business leadership in oil & gas, telecoms and beverages sectors
Prior to his latest appointment, he has been the managing director of Serengeti Breweries in Tanzania.
Before that, he served as the managing director of EABL International where he led the growth of the giant company’s export business in Rwanda, Burundi, DRC and South Sudan before moving to Uganda where he spent 2 years and 11 months from 2016-2019, as Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), managing director.
Ocitti has also previously served in the oil industry with Shell International as well as in the telecommunications with Bharti Airtel.
He holds a degree in Statistics from Makerere University and Master of Business Administration from Herriot Watt University in Scotland.
Managing Director
Serengeti Breweries Limited
Jul 2019 – Present3 years 7 months
Tanzania
Managing Director of Tanzania’s leading brewer and East African Breweries Limited Group company.
Cementing its leading position in the market and cultivating the Serengeti family of beers, including Serengeti Lite into icons for the market. Helping to drive the growth of the wider EABL and Diageo spirits portfolio in market.
Building a Serengeti team focused on consistent delivery and a passion for its brands.
Managing Director
Uganda Breweries Limited
Aug 2016 – Jun 20192 years 11 months
Kampala
Managing Director of EABL Group company, Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), Uganda’s leading brewer and adult beverage company. Directing the growth and development of UBL’s key brands in beer and spirits as well as those of the wider EABL Group and Diageo Group – EABL parent company.
Extending UBL’s leadership in the market and driving a new platform for spirits.
Managing Director
East African Breweries Ltd
Aug 2014 – Jul 20162 years
Kenya
Driving the growth and development of the international division of East African Breweries Ltd, a Diageo group company reaching across East Africa.
Responsible for the growth of the Diageo Beer (including Tusker and Guinness) and Spirits sales in the International markets.
Building the growing exports and duty free sales of the company in addition, working across countries, categories and distribution models.
Commercial Expansion Consultant
ComzAfrica
Jun 2013 – Aug 20141 year 3 months
Nairobi, Kenya
– Strategic Consulting, including business plan & sales strategy development.
– Advising on new market entry and formation of corporate business structure across East Africa.
– Structuring commercial transactions.
– Generating ideas and execution strategy for new product development and diversification
- Commercial Expansion Consultant Comz Africa Jun 2013 – Aug 20141 year 3 months Nairobi, Kenya- Strategic Consulting, including business plan & sales strategy development.
– Advising on new market entry and formation of corporate business structure across East Africa.
– Structuring commercial transactions.
– Generating ideas and execution strategy for new product development and diversification - Bharti Airtel Limited2 years 4 months
- Director, Airtel Business Aug 2012 – Apr 20139 months Airtel Enterprise business solutions.
- Commercial DirectorJan 2011 – Jul 20121 year 7 monthsCementing my marketing and management skills at Airtel:
– Successfully rebranding the company, whilst maintaining brand equity at pre-rebrand levels
– Pioneering a zonal strategy to build and develop business growth
– Launched several key products and services including the one network which was the first border less roaming service in the region. - Sales Director
- Zain Zambia
- Nov 2007 – Dec 20103 years 2 months
- Continuing to evolve my skills at Zain, though moving market I built a robust distribution system which was showcased across the Zain Africa Group as best practice. I further increased the distributor footprint through stakeholder education into modern FMCG distribution skills for long term benefit. All of this we tightened and secured through the exceptional execution of strategy on the ground.
- Sales Director
- Zain Uganda
- May 2005 – Oct 20072 years 6 months
- Continuing to build on sales and marketing expertise I introduced a FMCG distribution model to the industry and maintained it as the most successful distribution system. Developing at the same time a great distributor management system which led to a significant increase in presence by factor of over 50%.
- Retail Sales Manager
- Shell Uganda
- Mar 2002 – Apr 20053 years 2 months
- Uganda
- Whilst at Shell I introduced a robust pricing strategy suitable for the competitive environment in the industry, balancing the natural challenges of an emerging market. I also ensured Shell’s market leadership despite an unfavorable competitive and regulatory environment.