LONDON—Christina Mills has been named director of group communications and reputation at SABMiller after a four-month interim stint in the role.

Mills took on interim duties following the departure of Nigel Fairbrass earlier this year. Previously, Mills was global head of media relations at Rio Tinto.

She will continue to report to SABMiller group corporate affairs director Catherine May, and will be responsible for media, digital media, corporate reputation monitoring and measurement, corporate brand and the annual report.   

“Christina has a very strong track record as a corporate communicator and came highly recommended for her work at Rio Tinto," said May, pointing in particular to Mills' global experience across China, India, Japan and various African nations.  "She also has strong corporate and financial communications experience including M&A.  She hit the ground running in February and I am really pleased to appoint her to the role permanently.”  

Mills spent seven years at Rio Tinto, helping the British-Australian mining giant navigate a variety of sensitive issues. 

"In my first few months here we have launched a new corporate website, new brand visual identity and high-profile sustainable development ambition launch," said Mills of her experience of SABMiller, to date. "I’m really looking forward to helping shape communications strategy further.”