Group Executives

Mr. Mainetti currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of The Premium Group and is a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Mainetti previously served as Executive Vice-President of the Group and prior to this as Managing Director of Premium in Tanzania.

Prior to joining Premium in 2008, Mr. Mainetti held various senior management roles in the leaf tobacco and tobacco manufacturing sectors. He has over 34 years’ experience in the industry.

Mr. Konzen serves as Chief Financial Officer of The Premium Group and has primary responsibility for the planning, implementation, managing and running of all the finance activities of the group, including business planning, budgeting, forecasting and negotiations. Mr. Konzen previously held the position of EVP – Director of Finance (Operations) and prior to that various finance roles in the Premium Group’s subsidiaries in Brazil, the UK and the UAE.

Prior to joining the Premium Group in 2004, Mr. Konzen worked in the banking industry in Brazil. Mr. Konzen is a member of the Accountants and Auditors Association of the UAE.

Mr. Hickman currently serves as the Executive Vice-President – Group Commercial Director. He is a member of the Board of Directors and heads up the global commercial team for the Premium Group.

Mr. Hickman previously served as Executive Vice-President – Sales with focus on Africa and Asia.
Prior to joining Premium in 2003 , Mr. Hickman held various senior management roles in the leaf tobacco industry. He has over 35  years’ experience in the industry.

Mr. Gardiner is the EVP-Treasury, and has held this position since 2008. He is primarily responsible for all banking relationships, development of the groups borrowing strategies, insurance and cash flow management.

Prior to joining the Premium Group in 2008, Mr Gardiner held senior treasury management roles within the tobacco industry covering Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America.

Mr. Heppell is the Executive Vice-President – Group Leaf Director and heads up the global leaf team for the Premium Group.
Mr. Heppell previously served as an Executive Vice-President – Sales.

Prior to joining Premium in 2006, Mr. Heppell held senior sales and leaf positions within the leaf tobacco industry and has over 39 years’ experience in the industry.

Mr. White is a Senior Vice-President – Commercial Director for the Premium Group.

Prior to joining Premium in 2007, Mr. White held various positions in the leaf, operations and commercial departments and has over 21 years’ experience in the industry.

Mr. Milliken is a Senior Vice-President – Commercial Director, with a focus on sales, value-added products and new business development.
Prior to joining Premium in 2018, Mr. Milliken held various senior positions in the leaf, operations and commercial departments and has 25 years’ experience in the industry.

Mr. Salazar is a Senior Vice-President – Sales Administration and Logistics for the Premium Group.

Prior to joining Premium in 2004, Mr. Salazar held various positions in the leaf and commercial departments and has over 22 years’ experience in the industry.

Mr. Effting is the SVP Global Financial Controller for the Premium Tobacco Group. He is currently responsible for the oversight of the Group’s financial reporting environment. Mr. Effting joined in 2013 as a Regional Finance Officer for Africa and has subsequently held various financial roles within the Group.

Before joining Premium, Mr. Effting acquired diverse experience within the Financial Services industry and Auditing profession in the USA and South Africa.