Rene Madumere has moved into the position of Senior Brand Manager, Hennessy, at Moët Hennessy, advancing his career within the luxury drinks business after two years with the company in Nigeria. The appointment, announced on 11 November 2026, follows his previous role as Brand Manager at Moët Hennessy, which he assumed in October 2024.
The move gives Madumere responsibility at a senior brand management level within the organisation behind Hennessy, one of the world’s established cognac brands. His progression comes after nearly four years in different marketing, sales and consumer insight positions at Unilever, where he developed experience across brand management, commercial execution and consumer research.
From Unilever to Hennessy
Madumere joined Moët Hennessy in October 2024 after working as Brand Manager for Knorr at Unilever Nigeria. His first assignment at the drinks company was Brand Manager, a position he held until September 2026 before moving into the senior Hennessy role in October.
His earlier career at Unilever began in July 2016 as a Quality Control Analyst. He subsequently worked in consumer and marketing insights for Beauty and Personal Care in Africa, before progressing through the nutrition category as Assistant Brand Manager and later becoming Territory Sales Manager for Lagos Island. He returned to brand management in August 2023, taking responsibility for Knorr before his departure in October 2024.
A Marketing-Led Career
Madumere’s professional development combines marketing education with practical experience in consumer research and commercial management. His qualifications include a MiniMBA in Brand Management, completed in December 2025 with an A grade, an Advanced Brand Management Certificate from BMA Nigeria and a Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
The combination of consumer insight, territory sales and brand management experience gives him exposure to different stages of the consumer goods business. His new position also places him within the premium spirits segment, where brand positioning, consumer engagement and market execution are central to commercial performance. Moët Hennessy has not publicly disclosed specific responsibilities or performance targets attached to the appointment.
What the Move Means
Madumere’s progression comes at a time when premium spirits companies continue to compete for consumer attention and spending in markets where purchasing power, brand perception and distribution influence sales. His transition from a broader brand management position to responsibility for Hennessy represents a further step in his career within the international drinks industry.
For Nigeria’s marketing and beverage industry, the appointment adds another example of a professional moving through multinational consumer goods organisations into senior positions within the spirits business. Madumere’s experience across Unilever and Moët Hennessy now spans quality control, consumer intelligence, sales execution and brand leadership, with Hennessy becoming the focus of his latest assignment.
