New chief executive for Carlsberg

Carlsberg has appointed

Jorgen Buhl Rasmussen to take over from Nils Andersen, as chief executive.

Anderson will join

transport, oil and shipping company AP Moller-Maersk as group chief executive on Oct 1. Carlsberg's chief financial officer Jørn Jensen has been named deputy chief executive.

Rasmussen's appointment has fuelled rumours that Carlsberg will merge with Scottish & Newcastle, but he would not comment on the mooted tie-up.

Carlsberg chairman Povl Krogsgaard-Larsen said: "Rasmussen has extensive international experience in the fast-moving consumer goods business. Through his responsibility for Carlsberg's business in eastern Europe

he has contributed significantly to Carlsberg's positive development."