Asahi Group has announced the appointment of Amanda Sellers as the new Group CEO of Asahi Beverages Oceania.

Sellers has been the interim Group CEO since 13 June, following the sudden resignation of Group CEO Robert Iervasi in June, after 16 years with the business.

Asahi Group Holdings President and CEO Atsushi Katsuki said: “Amanda has played a critical role in the success and growth of Asahi Beverages as Group CFO and more recently as interim Group CEO of the business. She brings to the CEO role more than 20 years of industry and leadership experience which will equip her well in leading Asahi Beverages, Oceania’s leading beverages company.

“The Board of Asahi Group Holdings has huge confidence in Amanda’s ability to continue with the impressive growth trajectory of our business in Oceania, while also delivering our sustainability commitments and setting us up for long-term success in Australia and New Zealand.

Sellers is the first ever female CEO of a regional headquarters within the Asahi Group. She joined Asahi Beverages almost five years ago as the Group Chief Financial Officer. She has been in the beverages industry for over 20 years, during which time she also held senior roles at Treasury Wines, including CFO Asia and Europe, and before that CFO Australia and New Zealand.

Sellers said: “It’s a tremendous honour to be entrusted with the leadership of Asahi Beverages at a key time for our business as we continue to invest in and grow our operations across Australia and New Zealand.

“Asahi Beverages’ continued success in Oceania lies not just in our great brands, like VB, Asahi Super Dry, Schweppes, Long White, Cool Ridge and Allpress Espresso coffee, but our team’s passion and ability to innovate and meet our consumers’ needs in a rapidly evolving beverages market.

“As interim Group CEO over the past six months I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know our customers and suppliers much better. I’m confident that through these valued partnerships, and the plans we’ve developed together, we’ll grow our businesses and deliver even more for our consumers.”