Lion hires new CEO to lead unified ANZ division
Four Pillars owner Lion has appointed a new CEO and restructured its Australian and New Zealand operations into one business.
Australasian alcohol company Lion, a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Kirin, has promoted Anubha Sahasrabuddhe to the role of CEO.
She will take over the role from Sam Fischer on 1 October. Sahasrabuddhe is currently Lion’s chief growth and commercial officer, and the co-leader of the Lion Australia business alongside James Brindley.
The move coincides with the merging of the company’s Australian and New Zealand operations into Lion ANZ to position the group as an “Australasian powerhouse”.
A single leadership team will be at the helm of the unified business to enable “faster decision-making and even closer collaboration across both markets”.
Sahasrabuddhe said: “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.
“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 ANZ will make us more dynamic and market-focused than ever before – propelling our iconic beer brands to new heights and supercharging our growth in Australia and New Zealand. Lion is an incredible company and I am delighted to have been appointed as its next CEO to take us forward into our next era of growth.”
Sahasrabuddhe joined Lion in 2021 as chief marketing officer after holding senior leadership roles at The Coca-Cola Company and Mars Wrigley across Asia Pacific and the US.
Lion said its US businesses, New Belgium Brewing and Distinguished Vineyards, have “grown to a point of scale and maturity where they can report directly to Kirin”.
This new structure will allow the company to focus its full attention and investment on Australian and New Zealand-based customers, Lion added.
New ANZ senior team
A new Lion ANZ leadership team has been created, reshuffling those currently at the helm of its Australian and New Zealand divisions.
As a result of the restructure, Lion’s current chief people and transformation officer, Alicia Purtell, and chief financial officer (CFO) Triston King have decided to leave the business at the end of March 2026. They will be replaced by Jane Hill and Severine Yerriah, respectively.
Brindley will continue in his role as Lion Australia’s managing director until the end of 2025, when he will become a strategic advisor.
Brindley will be a member of the Lion ANZ leadership team and will continue to lead the group’s spirits business in Australia. He will work directly with key customers and external partners across the two markets.
Lion’s current New Zealand managing director, Craig Baldie, has been appointed to a new role of chief operating officer, with responsibility for leading the country’s sales and marketing teams in New Zealand. He will also look after strategy, digital and technology, sustainability, and container deposit schemes.
Other new hires to Lion’s leadership team include Matthew Anderson as chief supply chain officer, Glen Brasington as executive general manager (GM) – marketing, Kerry Appathurai as executive GM – sales, and Adam Gelbart as executive GM – commercial operations.
In addition, Saira Zaki joins as general counsel, Ted Sato has been appointed executive board director and Kirin strategy director, Julian Luke is the new executive director for corporate affairs, and Kenneth Yeo has become executive director for risk and audit.
Lion acquired Australian gin maker Four Pillars in July 2023.
Kirin’s spirits portfolio also includes Kentucky-based Four Roses Bourbon and Japanese whisky brand Fuji.
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