The new CEO will oversee New Zealand, as well as Australia, under a ‘leaner operating model’.
New Lion CEO Anubha Sahasrabuddhe.
New Zealand’s biggest beer and spirits group, Lion, has streamlined its trans-Tasman management structure under a new CEO.
The reshuffle is part of a “leaner operating model” announced today, following the resignation of current CEO Sam Fischer.
In May, it was revealed that Fischer had been poached by Australian wine giant Treasury Wine Estates to be its new CEO. He is due to leave the company at the end of October.
At the time, the AFR reported Fischer was paid an A$4 million ($4.45m) sign-on fee for foregoing incentives with Lion, which is owned by Japanese giant Kirin, on top of an A$1.75 million base salary package that could be more than doubled through short- and long-term incentives.
Today, Lion announced an internal promotion as his replacement. Its chief growth & commercial officer and the co-leader of Lion Australia, Anubha Sahasrabuddhe, will become CEO of the combined Australasian arms of the business.
Sahasrabuddhe joined Lion in 2021 following senior leadership roles at The Coca-Cola Company and Mars Wrigley across Asia Pacific and North America.
In a statement, the company said the new structure would combine its Australian and New Zealand operations under a single Lion ANZ leadership team, enabling faster decision-making and closer collaboration across both markets.
“In recent years, we’ve been transforming Lion to create a powerful platform for growth – unlocking new investment which has been refocused into our world-class brands, digital transformation and product innovation – while strengthening our supply chain and improving our partnerships and execution with customers," Sahasrabuddhe said.
“But great businesses never stand still, and Lion ANZ will position our business as an Australasian powerhouse, building on our incredible heritage spanning more than 180 years and the momentum we have created in recent years.”
Lion’s current New Zealand managing director, Craig Baldie.
Lion’s current New Zealand managing director, Craig Baldie, has been appointed to a new role of chief operating officer and New Zealand country director.
Baldie will take on an expanded portfolio of responsibilities, including strategy, digital & technology, and sustainability, and will continue to lead the sales and marketing teams in New Zealand.
“Our new leaner operating model will speed up decision-making, boost collaboration, and support shared best practices across both markets, while keeping sales and marketing teams empowered to lead locally,” he said.
In another change, Lion’s United States businesses, New Belgium Brewing and Distinguished Vineyards, will now report directly to Kirin.
The new appointments will take effect from October 1.
This is supplied content and not commissioned or paid for by NBR.
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