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Florence Eshalomi Becomes UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria

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Florence Eshalomi

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Labour (Co-op) Member of Parliament for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, Ms Florence Eshalomi, has been appointed by the United Kingdom Government as the trade envoy to Nigeria.

She is part of a new global growth team of UK Trade Envoys appointed by the UK Trade Secretary, Mr Jonathan Reynolds, to drive UK exports and investment as the British government pulls every lever available to drive economic growth under its Plan for Change.

She takes over from Ms Helen Grant, who was the Trade Envoy to Nigeria from October 2020 to May 2024.

Ms Eshalomi is part of 32 parliamentarians drawn from across the political spectrum and tasked with identifying trade and investment opportunities for businesses and championing the UK as a destination of choice for investment in the assigned target markets across six continents.

Each market has been identified as presenting significant potential for growing UK trade and Trade Envoys are appointed on their ability, relevant skills and experience.

According to Mr Reynolds, “Trade and investment are key to delivering economic growth, the number one mission of this government and a key part of our Plan for Change.

“That’s why I’ve launched a new team of Trade Envoys, who will use their experience, expertise and knowledge to unlock new markets around the world for British businesses, drumming up investment into the UK and ultimately driving economic growth.”

Speaking on the appointment, the Country Director for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in Nigeria, Mr Mark Smithson, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Florence Eshalomi MP as the new UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria and look forward to working with her to deliver on the commitments made under the UK Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership and unlock growth and opportunities for our two nations”

Ms Eshalomi and the other 31 MPs will work closely with the DBT, bringing in their previous government-to-government experience, to bolster exports, attract investments, and remove trade barriers in their respective markets.

The announcement comes ahead of the new Trade Strategy in Spring, which will prioritise rebuilding the UK’s relationship with the EU and seizing opportunities to access new markets further afield.

Other appointments include: Mr Afzal Khan MP appointed to Türkiye, Mr Alex Sobel MP appointed to Ukraine, Mr Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP appointed to Ghana, Mr Ben Coleman MP appointed to Morocco & Francophone West Africa, Mr Calvin Bailey MP appointed to Southern Africa, Ms Carolyn Harris MP appointed to New Zealand, Mr Dan Carden MP appointed to Mexico, Mr David Pinto-Duschinsky MP appointed to Switzerland & Lichtenstein, Mr Fabian Hamilton MP appointed to Southern Cone, Mr George Freeman MP appointed to Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore & Brunei, Lord Iain McNicol of West Kilbride appointed to Jordan, Kuwait & the Palestine Territories, and Lord Ian Austin of Dudley appointed to Israel.

Baroness Jane Ramsey of Wall Heath appointed to Ethiopia, Ms Jess Morden MP appointed to Central America, Lord John Alderdice appointed to Azerbaijan & Central Asia, Lord John Hannett of Everton appointed to Sri Lanka, Lord John Speller of Smethwick appointed to Australia, Mr Josh MacAlister MP appointed to Brazil, Ms Kate Osamor MP appointed to East Africa, Mr Matt Western MP appointed to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos, Mr Mohammad Yasin MP appointed to Pakistan, Mr Naz Shah MP appointed to Indonesia & ASEAN, Ms Paulette Hamilton MP appointed to Commonwealth Caribbean, Lord Richard Faulkner of Worcester appointed to Taiwan, Lord Roger Liddle appointed to Andean, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan appointed to South Africa, Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster appointed to Bangladesh, Ms Sarah Olney MP appointed to North Africa, Ms Sharon Hodgson MP appointed to Japan,  Lord Tom Watson of Wyre Forest appointed to Republic of Korea, and Ms Yasmin Qureshi MP appointment to Egypt.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Jobs/Appointments

Chemical and Allied Products Appoints Jethro Iruobe as Executive Director

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Jethro Iruobe

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The chief operating officer of Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) Plc, Mr Jethro Iruobe, has been appointed as an executive director.

A statement from the organisation disclosed that the appointment is effective June 25, 2026.

In his new role, Mr Iruobe will participate in the formulation and execution of the company’s strategic priorities, provide executive leadership across critical functions, and contribute to its continued growth, sustainability and success.

The new board member joined the firm in 2019 as Head of Human Resources before growing to become the COO, with responsibility for Human Resources, Corporate Communications, Administration, Fleet and Commercial Excellence.

He has over 19 years of experience across a range of industries, including financial services, consulting, FMCG and manufacturing, having begun his career in banking before kicking off his HR career at KPMG and going on to hold senior roles at Promasidor Nigeria, Coca-Cola HBC and TGI Nigeria.

Throughout his career, he has supported organisations in building high-performing teams and driving sustainable business growth.

Beyond his corporate responsibilities, he is a columnist with Business Day Newspaper, a trained relationship counsellor and co-author, and a recipient of awards in both the human resources profession and other platforms.

Mr Iruobe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Benin and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Manchester Business School, United Kingdom. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and also holds the Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) certification awarded by the Human Resource Certification Institute.

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Board Picks Malolan Sampath as Champion Breweries CEO After Adoga’s Exit

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Malolan Sampath

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Mr Malolan Sampath has been appointed as the new chief executive of Champion Breweries Plc, effective September 1, 2026.

The appointment of a new chief executive was approved by the board of the brewery giant following the resignation of Mr Inalegwu Adoga.

To ensure continuity during the transition pending Mr Sampath’s assumption of office, the board has appointed Mr Rasheed Ademola Adebiyi, Executive Director of Finance, to take charge of the affairs of the organisation.

In a statement, the board said it remains committed to the highest standards of corporate governance and to delivering a seamless leadership transition and sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders.

The new Sheriff in town, expected to take over next quarter, was described as an accomplished executive with over 26 years of international leadership experience across the beverage, FMCG, manufacturing and agro-industrial sectors, having built and led businesses up to $500 million in scale.

His beverage and brewing experience includes serving as Managing Director of Unique Beverages in Angola and as Sales & Marketing Director for a PepsiCo bottling franchise, in addition to earlier brewing-sector experience.

Most recently, he held the dual role of Managing Director (NPK Joint Venture) and Chief Marketing Officer at Indorama Eleme Fertilisers in Nigeria and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Global Industries Limited, a Wilmar International joint venture in Zambia.

He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (MBA) from the Symbiosis Centre for Management & HRD, Pune, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Chennai.

The board expressed confidence that his expertise in manufacturing excellence, commercial execution and business transformation will support the company’s strategic objectives and long-term growth.

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Julius Berger Appoints Muiz Banire, Chinazo Okoye to Board

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muiz banire

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Erudite legal practitioner, Mr Muiz Banire (SAN), has been appointed to the board of a construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

He joins the board of the organisation as a non-executive director, with effect from July 1, 2026, alongside Mrs Chinazo Okoye, who is an alternate director to Dr Ernest N. Azudialu-Obiejesi.

A statement from the company secretary, Ms Cecilia Ekanem Madueke, said Mrs Okoye is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Master of Engineering Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA, and a Master of Science Degree in Professional Accountancy from the University of London, London, UK.

She is a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. She has worked in various positions in various companies and is currently the Managing Director of Amaranta Trading Limited.

As for Mr Banire, he is a graduate of the University of Lagos and holds a Master of Laws Degree as well as a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from the same university.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. He also holds a Master Certificate in the Arbitration Master Course from the Lagos Court of Arbitration Training Institute. He was admitted to the Inner Bar and conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He is a Member of the International Bar Association, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a Fellow of the Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Institute of Management. He is registered with the Law Society of England.

He had served in various capacities in the Legal profession, academic community and publicly. He was conferred with the National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

He is the Founder and Principal Partner, M. A. Banire & Associates, Member of the Board of Trustees, Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

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