Carlsberg UK's Sheps to leave

Carlsberg UK chief executive Isaac Sheps is leaving to take over leadership of the brewer’s Russian business, Baltika, and its eastern European operations.

Sheps has headed the UK operation since October 2008, and under his leadership it has tripled its profits and grown its market share from 13% to 15% against a declining beer market.

He said: “This is an exciting prospect and I look forward to ensuring that Baltika continues to deliver a very positive contribution to the Carlsberg Group.” 

The group said it will appoint a new chief executive for Carlsberg UK “as soon as possible”. When Sheps leaves on December 1, western European senior vice-president Jesper Friis will step in as interim chief executive.

Carlsberg Group chief executive Jørgen Buhl Rasmussen said: “Isaac Sheps has a great track record at Carlsberg, both in south east Europe and the UK, and I am confident that his strong leadership skills, operational focus and his diverse international experience will serve us well at Baltika and across the eastern European region.”