DB Breweries names new MD

AUCKLAND, Today: DB Breweries has this morning announced senior management changes which will see managing director Peter Simons moving on to a new role within the Heineken company, and Matt Wilson (currently corporate affairs director and transformation lead at DB) appointed as MD, effective 1 January.

These appointments came just one week after DB appointed Fraser Shrimpton as its new marketing director.

Simons has spent 30 years with Heineken in different roles around the world and is said to have left the New Zealand business in good shape with a focus on growth and value creation, and ambitions in the sustainability space.

DB’s regular ad agencies are Motion Sickness, Darkhorse, Colenso BBDO, and Saatchi & Saatchi – all still employed by DB.

Simons said: “DB has experienced steady positive financial growth across all metrics and I’m thrilled to see the top job go to a local talent.

“DB’s agencies are Motion Sickness, Darkhorse, Colenso BBDO, and Saatchi & Saatchi – all still employed by DB.”

“It is wonderful to hand over the managing director role to Matt Wilson – his appointment, and leadership experience across Heineken operations in New Zealand and Vietnam are good examples of the limitless career opportunities available when you are part of the Heineken company.”

Wilson brings a wealth of experience to the MD position. Since joining DB in 2009 as legal Counsel, he served as the corporate relations & legal director at DB and corporate affairs director at Heineken Vietnam, before moving back to New Zealand in 2020 as corporate affairs director and transformation lead at DB.

Prior to joining DB, he worked in the legal and banking sectors in New Zealand, France and the UK.

Wilson said: “I’m looking forward to building on the successes of Peter and the rest of the DB team. It is a great honour to be at the helm of such an iconic New Zealand company that is also a proud part of the family-owned global brewing giant, Heineken.”

About DB
Owned by Heineken, DB directly employs around 500 people across New Zealand. Its brands include Heineken, Tiger, Monteith’s, Tuatara, Export, Tui, Old Mout and Odd Company. DB owns and operates three breweries and one cidery in NZ. DB is also the majority owner of hospitality joint venture Joylab which owns 20 hospitality outlets across Auckland.

• www.db.co.nz