KUALA LUMPUR (March 30): Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd has appointed Datuk Toh Ah Wah as chairman, taking over from Datuk Lim Say Chong who held the post for 13 years.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, Carlsberg said Lim wishes to step down as chairman and independent non-executive director after the group's annual general meeting on April 12.

"Under his chairmanship, Carlsberg has grown from a beer company active mainly in the domestic market with a few key portfolio brands to a brewer with regional footprints offering a portfolio of international premium beers, stouts, cider and craft brews," the group said.

Lim said it was a privilege to be part of the group's transformation particularly in product innovations launched in recent years, namely Carlsberg Smooth Draught, Somersby cider, Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc and Connors' Stout Porter.

He said he is pleased that Toh is taking over as he has vast experience and a sound understanding of consumer businesses in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region, making him an ideal candidate to bring the group to greater success.

Toh, 61, joined the board on May 17, 2017 as an independent non-executive director, in line with group's succession plan.

Toh was previously with Rothmans of Pall Mall (Malaysia), which then merged with British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd (BAT). In 2009, he was BAT managing director, and retired from BAT in June 2013. He also sits on the boards of Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd, Hong Kong-based CTBAT International Company Ltd, and Choice Foundation.

Carlsberg shares rose two sen or 0.11% to close at RM18.88 today for a market capitalisation of RM5.8 billion.