THE leading three British directors of Irish drinks group, C&C shared€1.73 million in pay in their first full year in charge; according to the group’s just published annual report.

MANAGEMENT at drinks group C&C has said the key target for its current financial year is to boost sales growth of Magners cider in Britain, to a level broadly in line with the 5%-10% overall rise in the sector there.

Drinks group C&C today said revenue for the year ended 28 February 2010 had increased by 16.4% to €568.8m.

IRISH drinks group C&C has further internationalised its board of directors by announcing the appointment of Brian Stewart as its next chairman, succeeding Tony O’Brien, who is retiring after nearly 30 years with the group.

C&C IS rumoured to be in the early planning stages concerning the partial sale of its non-core spirits and liqueurs division, in a move which could free up funding for a bid for another significant acquisition in Britain sometime next year.

IRISH drinks group, C&C has increased its presence in Britain’s drinks market by reaching agreement to buy the British cider assets of international drinks group, Constellation Brands, for £45 million (€50m) in cash.

Bulmers maker C&C is to buy UK cider company Gaymer for £45m (€50m), it was announced this morning.

Drinks group C&C is reporting revenue of €257.5m and an operating profit before exceptional items of €57.4m (down 2%) for the six months to the end of August.

IRISH drinks group C&C could use its newly cemented strategic agreement with industry giant, Anheuser Busch-InBev (ABI) to boost its Magners cider brand in international markets, over the long-term.

C&C could expand its Magners cider brand to the Nordic markets — specifically Sweden and Finland — within the next three years, although group chief executive, John Dunsmore, said that the move is still at the “drawing board” level.

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.

Scotland's best-selling lager, Tennent's, was today snapped up by C&C in a deal worth £180m (€204.4m).

C&C shares rose almost 8% yesterday after the company said & Irish cider sales were helped by “a successful few months for Irish rugby,” which included the Irish team winning its first Grand Slam in 61 years last March.

The managing director of drinks group C&C's cider operations in Britain is to resign, the company announced today.

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.

INCREASED competition and weak consumer demand for cider means drinks’ group C&C will report operating profit that will miss analysts estimates for the full year.

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.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares was valued at 2,975.82 at 11am this morning, an increase of 149.08 points or 5.27%.

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

The UK’s biggest brewer, Scottish & Newcastle, is expected to fall into foreign hands today after its £7.8bn (€9.9bn) takeover by rivals Heineken and Carlsberg.

The UK’s biggest brewer, Scottish & Newcastle, will fall into foreign hands tomorrow after its £7.8bn (€9.9bn) takeover by rivals Heineken and Carlsberg.

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.