Carlsberg has said that Søren Lauridsen will replace Pradeep Gidwani as its managing director in India.

Lauridsen is currently deputy MD at Lao Brewery Company, a 50-50 venture between Carlsberg and the Government of Laos. He will take up his new role on 1 February.

Gidwani has decided to leave Carlsberg India “to pursue opportunities outside the Carlsberg Group”, the Denmark-based brewer announced today (26 January).

Carlsberg is keen to build its presence in India, which remains a dot on the global beer market but has been tipped for strong growth.

Lauridsen, who joined Carlsberg in 2005 as vice president of marketing for Carlsberg Poland, has “made a significant contribution to the profitable development of Lao Brewery,” Carlsberg said.

Carlsberg operates in India via the South Asia Breweries venture, in which it holds a 45% stake. Another 45% stake belongs to a group of investors led by Carlsberg’s Sri Lankan partner, The Lion Brewery Ceylon. Industrialisation Fund for Developing Countries owns the remaining 10% stake.

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Lauridsen will report to Roy Bagattini, senior vice president for South Asia Breweries.

India’s beer market is currently dominated by SABMiller and United Breweries, part of billionaire Vijay Mallya’s UB Group empire. These two control more than 80% of the sector.

India’s per capita beer consumption is less than one litre, compared to more than 20 litres in China and more than 100 litres in several western markets.

Carlsberg opened it third and fourth breweries in India last year and has said it is prepared to invest to “gain a platform”.

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