Lion has appointed Anubha Sahasrabuddhe as CEO and announced a restructure that combines its Australian and New Zealand operations into a single Lion ANZ business.
The move brings both markets under one leadership team, aiming to streamline decision-making and sharpen focus on local customers.
Sahasrabuddhe, currently Lion’s Chief Growth & Commercial Officer and co-lead of Lion Australia, joined the company in 2021 after senior roles at Coca-Cola and Mars Wrigley across Asia Pacific and North America. She will step into the CEO role from 1 October 2025, when the new structure takes effect.
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 & 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.”
Lion’s US businesses, New Belgium Brewing and Distinguished Vineyards, will now report directly to parent company Kirin, allowing Lion to concentrate on the ANZ market.
As part of the restructure, James Brindley will continue as Lion Australia MD until the end of 2025 before moving into a Strategic Advisor role, while also leading Lion’s spirits business.
Current NZ MD Craig Baldie has been named COO, overseeing Sales & Marketing in New Zealand along with Strategy, Digital & Technology, Sustainability, and Container Deposit Schemes.
Other appointees to the new Lion Leadership Team include Severine Yerriah as Chief Financial Officer; Matthew Anderson as Chief Supply Chain Officer; Glen Brasington as Executive General Manager – Marketing; Kerry Appathurai as Executive General Manager – Sales; Adam Gelbart as Executive General Manager – Commercial Operations.
Brindley takes on the role of Strategic Advisor; 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.
Top image: Anubha Sahasrabuddhe