WHEN C&C appointed John Dunsmore, the former boss of Scottish and Newcastle, as its new head, sceptics wanted to know how he and other S&N executives appointed with him would adapt to their new-found roles at the head of Ireland’s struggling cider group.

THE already downbeat business outlook at drinks group C&C got gloomier yesterday with the Dublin and Clonmel-based business saying that market conditions in its core markets of Ireland and Britain are likely to deteriorate further.

DRINKS group C&C’s move to replace former chief executive Maurice Pratt, with the former head of Scottish & Newcastle, could be just the tonic needed to boost the struggling Magners brand.

JOHN DUNSMORE was chief executive of Scottish & Newcastle until the joint acquisition by Heineken and Carlsberg in April.

John Dunsmore has been announced as the new CEO of C&C Group. He replaces Maurice Pratt, who resigned from the position last month.

Takeover target Scottish & Newcastle unveiled plans for a leaner business today as the brewer wards off an unwanted £7.3bn (€10.2bn) approach from European rivals Carlsberg and Heineken.

Foster’s brewer Scottish & Newcastle promoted an insider to its top job today after confirming the departure of chief executive Tony Froggatt.