SABMiller chairman Graham Mackay dies aged 64

Graham Mackay, the man credited for turning SABMiller into the world’s second-largest brewer, died this morning at the age of 64.

SABMiller said he died peacefully in Hampshire with his family at his side.

Mackay was diagnosed with a brain tumour in April when he stepped back from his role as chairman. He returned to work in September but was forced to step aside again last month.

John Manser, appointed chairman today, said: “Graham was one of the most inspirational and successful leaders in international business by any measure.”

Mackay, who was born in 1949, grew up in Swaziland, Natal and Rhodesia. He joined South Africa Breweries in 1978 and oversaw its listing in London 1999. He headed the acquisitions of Miller Brewing in the US in 2002, Bavaria in Latin America in 2005 and Foster’s in Australia in 2011.

SABMiller paid Mackay £13.9 million last year and he leaves a shareholding worth just over £43 million.