In 2015, the world’s second-largest brewer became the focus of a takeover approach fromAnheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) (at press time valued at £79bn). Since the deal was signed, a review was held and the company’s structure overhauled in August.
Consultations are ongoing and while senior lawyers within the legal team have already been notified by Davidson of redundancies, all staff are expected to be formally notified of management’s decision in October upon finalisation of the merger.
Those affected include company secretary and deputy GC Stephen Shapiro, who is responsible for managing the internal commercial legal function; deputy GC for M&A, Stephen Jones; and deputy GC for regulatory and industry affairs, John Fraser, who devises and implements global regulatory strategies for the company.
The newly-combined company will be based atAB InBev’s headquarters in Leuven, Belgium, and will have a management office in New York whereAB InBev legal head Sabine Chalmers is based.
AB InBev said when the deal is doneSABMiller’s UK offices in Woking will be kept open ‘for a transitional period’. ExistingSABMiller hubs in Miami, Hong Kong and Beijing will be phased out within months of completing the combination.
SABMiller declined to comment.