Anubha Sahasrabuddhe, Credit: Lion
Anubha Sahasrabuddhe, Lion’s chief growth & commercial officer and former CMO, has been appointed chief executive officer of the alcoholic beverage group's ANZ business.
She joined Lion in 2021 after leadership roles at The Coca-Cola Company and Mars Wrigley across the Asia Pacific and North America.
“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 & execution with customers,” Sahasrabuddhe said.
A restructure will consolidate the previously separate Australian, New Zealand and group-level leadership teams into one.
The company’s US operations, New Belgium Brewing and Distinguished Vineyards, will now report directly to parent company Kirin.
As part of the changes, current Lion CEO Sam Fischer will step down at the end of October 2025.
James Brindley, Lion Australia managing director, will become strategic advisor in 2026. He stays on the leadership team and will lead the spirits business, while working with key partners across Australia and New Zealand.
Craig Baldie, New Zealand managing director, becomes chief operating officer. He will oversee sales and marketing in New Zealand, plus strategy, digital, sustainability and container deposit schemes.
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