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JANE KARUKU
MD & CEO, EABL
Jane Karuku is an exemplary business leader, who boasts a respected career defined by her remarkable management acumen, marketing expertise and unparalleled global branding experience. Over the course of more than 27 years, she has continuously proven her dynamic capabilities in the corporate world. Presently, she is the first female Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of East Africa Breweries (EABL), a role she had held since January 2021.
Ms Karuku’s foundation for success is traceable to her formative years in school, where she diligently honed her leadership skills and character. Her academic excellence led her to earn a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Food Science and Technology from the prestigious University of Nairobi (UoN). Building upon her achievements, she later pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Marketing from the renowned National University (NU) in California, USA.
After completing her studies, Jane joined Cadbury Schweppes East and Central Africa, where she rose through the ranks on merit to become MD. Ms Karuku spent nearly seven years with the company, utilising her adept skills and strategic vision to propel it to new heights.
Jane’s reputation as a visionary leader continued to grow, joining Telkom Kenya as Deputy CEO. Here, she spearheaded transformative initiatives that revolutionised the telecommunications landscape in Kenya.
Ms Karuku’s talent and invaluable expertise were quickly recognised, leading to numerous esteemed organisations seeking her to serve on their boards. One notable example is her 11-year tenure as Non-Executive Director on the board of Barclays Bank of Kenya, which has since been rebranded to Absa Bank Kenya. During this time, Jane made significant contributions to the bank’s success.
Ms Karuku served on the board of directors of EABL from 2014 to 2015. Subsequently, she took on the role of MD at Kenya Breweries (KBL), where she dedicated six years of her career before assuming her current position.
In 2020, Jane was honoured with the prestigious Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (MGH) award, recognising her contributions to the nation. The esteemed accolade was presented to her by the President of Kenya as a testament to her outstanding dedication.
Towards her passions, Ms Karuku demonstrates loyalty to the cause of nurturing women leaders by wholeheartedly investing her time as a Trustee of Precious Sisters – an esteemed organisation fervently devoted to empowering bright yet underprivileged girls through the power of education.
Despite her demanding work schedule, Jane manages to carve out time to unwind through activities such as indulging in a game of golf and engaging in networking opportunities. She understands the importance of balancing work with personal interests and building connections outside of the office, allowing her to expand her professional circle, forge meaningful relationships, and potentially open doors to new opportunities: this is precisely the mindset of a true business honcho.
In the past years, with Ms Karuku at the helm, EABL has made strategic investments in brands, digital capabilities, and consumer experiences. Among the major investments, the company allocated a substantial sum of KES 6.7 billion towards expanding production capacity and implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. Jane’s success is bound to make a lasting impression on the business world, serving as an inspiration for future generations of leaders to pursue excellence.
EABL, East Africa’s leading branded alcohol beverage business, dominates the market with over 90 percent share. Having celebrated its centenary in 2022, the company proudly offers an impressive portfolio of over 40 brands encompassing beer, spirits, and adult non-alcoholic drinks (ANADs), solidifying its position as a comprehensive adult beverage company. EABL is publicly listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Uganda Securities Exchange (USE), and Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), with Diageo PLC, an international alcoholic beverage brand, as its largest shareholder, owning 50.03 percent of the company.
With a vision to become the most celebrated business in every Eastern African market, EABL has established an extensive network of breweries, distilleries, and a distribution system that stretches across its core markets: Kenya (Kenya Breweries Limited – KBL), Uganda (Uganda Breweries Limited – UBL), Tanzania (Serengeti Breweries Limited – SBL), and South Sudan (East African Beverages South Sudan Limited – EABSS). While focusing on these key Eastern African markets, the company’s exceptional products can also be found in over 10 other African countries, including Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and more.
