Lion has created a unified Lion ANZ business and has announced the appointment of marketing boss Anubha Sahasrabuddhe as chief executive officer.
The new structure combines Lion’s Australian and New Zealand operations under a single Lion ANZ Leadership Team, enabling faster decision-making and even closer collaboration across both markets. The simplified approach will allow Lion to respond more quickly to customer needs and market opportunities.
Sahasrabuddhe is currently Lion’s chief growth & commercial officer, and the co-leader of its Lion Australia business. Sahasrabuddhe joined Lion in 2021 following senior leadership roles at The Coca-Cola Company and Mars Wrigley across Asia Pacific and North America.
Glen Brasington has been named as Lion ANZ’s as executive general manager – marketing.
“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.
“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.”
Lion’s United States businesses New Belgium Brewing and Distinguished Vineyards have grown to a point of scale and maturity where they can report directly to KIRIN, allowing Lion to focus its full attention and investment on Australian and New Zealand customers.
The news follows EssenceMediacom’s win of the brand’s media planning and buying account, taking it from nine-year incumbent UM. B&T understands that the account could be worth in the region of $60 million.
A new Lion ANZ Leadership Team will be created, replacing the previous Group, Australian and New Zealand Leadership Teams.
As a result of these changes to Lion’s business structure, its current chief people & transformation officer, Alicia Purtell, and chief financial officer, Triston King, have decided it is time to leave Lion and will be concluding at the end of March 2026 after supporting the transition.
James Brindley will continue as Lion Australia MD until the end of 2025 and will then be transitioning into a new role with Lion as strategic advisor in 2026. Brindley will be a member of the Lion ANZ Leadership Team and will continue to lead our spirits business in Australia, while working directly with key customers and external partners across Australia and New Zealand.
Lion’s current New Zealand MD, Craig Baldie, has been appointed to a new role as chief operating officer, with responsibility for leadership of the Sales & Marketing teams in New Zealand, as well as Strategy; Digital & Technology; Sustainability; and Container Deposit Schemes.
Other appointees to the new Lion Leadership Team include Severine Yerriah as CFO; Matthew Anderson as chief supply chain officer; Kerry Appathurai as executive general manager – sales; Adam Gelbart as executive general manager – commercial operations; Jane Hill as chief people officer; Saira Zaki as general counsel; Ted Sato as executive board director and KIRIN strategy director; Julian Luke as executive director corporate affairs; and Kenneth Yeo as executive director risk & audit.
Sahasrabuddhe will commence as Lion CEO from 1 October 2025, which is when the new Lion Leadership Team and other changes will also take effect. Sam Fischer will conclude as Lion CEO at the end of October 2025, as previously announced.
