Sade Morgan Appointed Corporate Affairs Director for Heineken Africa & Middle East

Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nigeria’s leading brewing company, has announced the appointment of Sade Morgan as the Corporate Affairs Director for Heineken’s Africa & Middle East (AME) region. Her new role, effective from May 1, 2025, marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first regional national from the AME region to hold this senior leadership position. The announcement was made in a statement by Hans Essaadi, Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, on April 4, 2025. In her elevated role, Morgan will join both the Heineken Global Corporate Affairs Leadership Team and the Heineken AME Management Team. She is tasked with driving the company’s corporate affairs strategy to bolster Heineken’s growth agenda while safeguarding its reputation across the AME region.

Morgan’s journey with Nigerian Breweries began in 2018 when she assumed the role of Corporate Affairs Director. Since then, she has spearheaded critical regulatory and fiscal engagements within Nigeria’s dynamic business environment, mitigating significant excise tax increases and shaping a more favorable regulatory framework. Her leadership was instrumental during the temporary suspension of operations at select Nigerian breweries, where she ensured seamless stakeholder engagement and business continuity.

Beyond regulatory matters, Morgan has also provided strategic leadership in advancing Heineken’s “Brew a Better World” sustainability initiatives in Nigeria. Her achievements have not gone unnoticed—she was honored as the 2025 Outstanding Corporate Spokesperson of the Year at the Nigerian National Spokespersons Award and recognized as the Corporate Communications Professional of the Year at the 2024 Lagos Public Relations Industry Gala and Awards.

With an illustrious career spanning 27 years, Morgan brings extensive experience in driving business growth, managing risk, and leading high-performing teams across diverse industries, including fast-moving consumer goods, tobacco, and beverages. A lawyer by training, she holds honors degrees in Law from Obafemi Awolowo University and the Nigerian Law School. She is also an alumna of prestigious executive management programs at IMD (Switzerland) and INSEAD (France).

Before joining Nigerian Breweries, Morgan held senior roles at Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, serving as Legal, Public Affairs, and Communications Director. Her corporate journey also includes significant tenures at British American Tobacco, where she held various legal, regulatory, and corporate affairs roles, including assignments in the UAE and the UK, overseeing regulatory marketing across Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Morgan’s leadership extends beyond corporate roles. She has actively shaped public policy on business regulation and corporate governance in Nigeria, championing ethical practices and corporate responsibility in the private sector. As the inaugural chairperson of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (Nigeria), she pioneered sustainability initiatives that have left a lasting impact.

Her professional affiliations include the Institute of Directors and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. Morgan is married to Seye Morgan, Managing Director/CEO of Rihago Auction Ltd, and they have three children. Her appointment highlights Heineken’s commitment to fostering regional talent and leveraging her wealth of experience to navigate complex regulatory landscapes while advancing the company’s strategic goals across the AME region.