Carlsberg has appointed former Diageo big-hitter Benet Slay as its new UK chief executive.

Slay, who was formerly managing director in Northern Europe at the Guinness brewer, will join Carlsberg on 1 March.

“Benet has an extensive knowledge of our industry,” said Carlsberg Western Europe senior VP Jesper Friism, who has been acting as interim chief executive.

“He has a deep-rooted understanding of both on- and off-trade dynamics, an excellent track record in delivering customer- and consumer-led strategies and has launched many successful innovations.”

Benet worked for PepsiCo between 1991 and 2004, spending eight years with Walkers Snack Foods in various senior commercial and business development roles.

He subsequently became MD of Diageo GB’s on- and off-trade businesses before becoming MD for Diageo GB in 2006. He then assumed the MD role for Northern Europe, responsible for the P&L and commercial activities across 10 countries. He is also a founding trustee of the Drinkaware Trust.

“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to work with such a customer-focused team and such a well-known portfolio of brands in the UK,” said Slay.

“Carlsberg UK is an important part of the group’s business and I look forward to building on the momentum the team in the UK have achieved in the last few years.”