Fears over the health of Graham Mackay grew over the past week after SABMiller said Chairman Mr Mackay had suffered a "recent sudden worsening of his condition".
The FTSE 100 brewer said that Mr Mackay, who only returned to work in September this year after taking five months off following treatment for a brain tumour, had requested a further leave of absence.
SABMiller said on Friday it had reappointed John Manser as acting chairman.
"SABMiller announces with regret that in light of a deterioration in the health of chairman Graham Mackay, the board has reappointed deputy chairman John Manser as acting chairman with effect from November 14," the company said.
Mr Manser was acting chairman for five months earlier this year when Mr Mackay took medical leave of absence to focus on his treatment following surgery for a brain tumour in April.
SABMiller said Mr Mackay had recovered sufficiently to return to his role as non executive chairman in September, although following a recent sudden worsening of his condition, the board had agreed to his request for a further leave of absence.
The board said it would continue to keep the position under review.
Mr Mackay has been credited for turning the company into one of South Africa’s most successful multinationals, and the world’s second-largest brewer.
© 2013 - European Supermarket Magazine by Enda Dowling
