Heineken sees rise in UK profits - graduate jobs

Heineken's growth in UK operating profits last year in defiance of a shrinking beer market, comes as encouraging news for graduates hoping to get into the food and drink sector.

The company, which wound up its breweries in Reading and Dunston near Newcastle, said savings made through the move and higher product pricing had help boost profits.

The owner of Foster's, John Smith's, Kronenbourg 1664 and Bulmers brands also benefited from a restructuring of its Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company.

Operating profits for the brewer's western Europe arm rose 14% to 904 million euros (£761.6 million), although volumes were down 3.6%.

Figures for the UK business were not revealed, but the profits growth comes amid a 4% decline in the beer market. A slight decline in the cider market pulled down sales of the Strongbow brand, it said.

Heineken, which was recently named an official partner of the 2012 London Olympics, said lengthy negotiations with some major off-trade customers adversely impacted its market share in the first half of 2010, although its share partly recovered in the second half of the year.

Heineken UK managing director Stefan Orlowski said: "2010 has been a challenging year for many in the brewing and pub trade, but I am very pleased with the progress we have made within our business and indeed with our brands."