InBev seeks to remove entire Anheuser-Busch board

InBev is seeking to have each and every member of the Anheuser-Busch (A-B) board removed as part of its US$46bn (£23bn) takeover battle with the US brewing giant.

The group is filing documents later today with the US Securities & Exchange Commission to remove the current board line up and has earmarked its own set of individuals who it wants to see appointed as part of a process to "provide A-B shareholders [with] an opportunity to have a direct voice in the proposed combination with InBev".

Carlos Brito, InBev's chief executive, said the brewer's "strong preference" remained a "constructive dialogue" with A-B to achieve a "friendly combination that comprehensively addresses the interest of all constituents".

However as A-B had been "unwilling to engage", Brito believed it was "time to take action to ensure A-B shareholders are provided the opportunity to have a direct voice in the process and a say in the future direction of the company".

Among InBev's proposed board members for A-B are Adolphus A. Busch IV, uncle of the current A-B president and chief executive August A. Busch, who has been reported as saying a sale of the US group will not happen on his "watch".

A-B has fought back against the InBev proposal with a plan of its own to restructure and streamline its business. There has also been a high-profile campaign in the US to keep A-B American and out of the hands of the European-headquartered group.