SABMiller CFO to retire

Wyman will be replaced by James (Jamie) Wilson, currently Finance Director for SABMiller Europe.

Wilson joined SABMiller in 2005 and has held a number of senior positions in the group, including Senior Vice President, Market Development and Strategy, Miller Brewing Company, USA; Managing Director, SABMiller Russia; and Managing Director for SABMiller's Central European businesses.

Wilson has 23 years of experience in the global beverage industry, having held a number of senior executive positions before joining SABMiller, notably Group Finance Director and Managing Director, Operations of Highland Distillers plc; Executive Chairman of Maxxium, the international drinks distribution business; Managing Director of Orpar SA, the parent company of Remy Cointreau; Strategy/Finance Director for Scottish Courage Ltd; and Strategy/Project Director for Scottish & Newcastle plc.

He has a law degree from the University of Edinburgh, is a qualified chartered accountant and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

He becomes deputy CFO of SABMiller with immediate effect, but he will retain his responsibilities as Finance Director for SABMiller Europe until his replacement is appointed.

Wyman leaves SABMiller after 25 years of service.

He first joined The South African Breweries Ltd in 1986, after a successful career in investment banking in South Africa, and was appointed to the board as Group Corporate Finance Director in 1990.

He transferred onto the board of South African Breweries plc upon its listing on the London Stock Exchange in 1999, and became Chief Financial Officer in 2001 with responsibility for the group's finance operations, corporate finance and development, and group strategy.

Following his retirement, Wyman will continue through a consulting arrangement with SABMiller, to provide advice and support to the company.

Graham Mackay, SABMiller group chief executive, commented: "We owe Malcolm a deep debt of gratitude for the pivotal role he has played in SABMiller's transformation from a small regional business into a leading global brewer.

"He has made an outstanding contribution to the significant growth of the group through his leadership of our corporate finance activities, which included the transformational transactions with Miller Brewing Company in the US and the Bavaria Group in South America.

"He has brought a unique and insightful perspective to all of our financial activities.

"His extraordinary dedication, wisdom and good judgement, combined with an unfailing sense of humour and "steadiness under fire" will be greatly missed by me personally and all in the business."