TheCable

George Polymenakos, who started his career in 1998 with Coca-Cola Hellenic in Greece as a graduate trainee, has risen through the ranks to be named managing director (MD) of the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC).

The non-alcoholic beverage giant, which doubles as the sole franchise bottler of The Coca-Cola Company in Nigeria, announced the appointment of Polymenakos with effect from July 2016.

Polymenakos succeeds Ben Langat, who joined NBC as chief finance officer in 2009, and was appointed as managing director in 2012.

Until recently, Polymenakos was regional general manager for Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC) for Moscow, Russia.

In a company statement signed by Sade Morgan, NBC legal, public affairs and communications director, NBC said it “is pleased to have the leadership of someone as broadly experienced as George Polymenakos in the on-going Transformation phase of our business”.

In 2003, Polymenakos moved to Chipita, an innovative snacks and confectionary company, as commercial development manager for Greece and grew to the position of country manager in Russia, overseeing all functions of the company.

George returned to Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company in 2011, as regional general manager for the north west region and subsequently regional general manager for Moscow, the biggest business unit in Russia.

In Moscow, he was said to have driven leadership of the Non-Alcoholic ready to drink market segment for the first time, delivering record market shares.

During the last five years he successfully led numerous change management projects and infrastructure optimization.

Polymenakos is expected to bring to NBC, “extensive experience and impressive track record in the commercial field, as well as strong leadership and a passion for people and growing markets”.