Beam Suntory names CFO amid new structure

Beam Suntory has named John Owen as its new chief financial officer at the same time as announcing a new regional structure that targets growth in Asia.

Owen, who joined Chicago-based Beam Suntory in 2013 when Suntory acquired Beam Inc, most recently served as chief supply chain officer at the company. He previously spent 30 years at Avon Products, serving as CFO of North America and president of EMEA.

“John is a uniquely talented enterprise-wide leader who elevated our global supply chain function, and I’m delighted that we will continue to benefit from his strong leadership, gravitas, people development skill and business expertise,” said Matt Shattock, chairman and CEO of Beam Suntory.

Beam Suntory has also revealed that it will move from a three-region operating structure, to a two-region model, combining its Asia and Japan markets and integrating them its International region.

As such, the company will operate within two regions of similar size and scale – Americas and International – which it believes will create a “simpler structure”. The regions are led by Americas president Tim Hassett and International president Albert Baladi.

“This new alignment means we’ll have two dynamic, powerhouse regions with similar economic scale,” Shattock said. “Americas is anchored in the US, the world’s most profitable market, where we hold the number two market position, and also includes exciting emerging market opportunities throughout Latin America.

“International will drive growth in mature markets like Japan and developed Europe, while seizing emerging market opportunities across Asia and Eastern Europe.”

Windy Koizumi, currently president of Beam Suntory Japan, will be promoted to the newly created position of president, Asia, and will have responsibility for Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea and Southeast Asia, reporting to Baladi.

Sho Senba, currently COO, group strategy planning of Suntory Holdings and chairman of Suntory China Holdings, will succeed Koizumi as managing director of Beam Suntory Japan.

“Emerging markets in Asia are one of our most promising long-term growth opportunities, and this alignment will enable greater sharing of best practices from Japan across Asian markets,” Shattock added.

“Given the magnitude of the future opportunity in Asia, we are determined to act now to seize the opportunity.”

Earlier this year, Beam Suntory appointed Coca-Cola Company executive Rebecca Messina as its new global chief marketing officer.