Desnoes & Geddes Limited has advised that Mr. Al Barnes, MD of Red Stripe has announced his resignation in order to return to South Africa in July and rejoin his wife Jane and daughters Aimee and Emily. He will officially demit office on June 30th, 2011.
Mr. Barness has led the business through a very challenging economic climate for the past 2 years. Under his leadership, Spirits sales grew to new record levels, the new brands of Red Stripe Bold, Dragon Spitfire, Zacapa Centenario, Nuvo, two new Smirnoff flavours and Smirnoff Black Ice 7.5% were launched. During his 2 years, the local production of Smirnoff No.21 and Trelawney Gold Label started on site at Red Stripe. The company successfully re-entered sponsorship of music and events under his tenure, and the biggest music event in Jamaica in 2010 was held – the Guinness Concert – bringing together two local artists who haven’t been on stage together for over 15 years. Al also oversaw the removal of a massive taxation inequity against beer, and the implementation of specific taxation. He led the company as we graduated 1400 Jamaican students under the Diageo Learning for Life initiative and the permanent home for Learning for Life was established in the original Red Stripe brewery downtown Kingston, Jamaica.
He will be replaced by Renato Gonzalez, a Brazilian national, who is a seasoned Diageo leader with vast experience in manufacturing and a sterling leadership record. We look forward to welcoming Renato to the Red Stripe team. Renato will commence his leadership of the team on July 1st, 2011.
