Less than a year after the last major drinks industry reshuffle, another wave of change has swept through the CEO and Managing Director ranks.

It has been a turbulent year for the industry, with a raft of craft breweries and distilleries closing or going into administration, drinks companies announcing strategic reviews and numerous CEO resignations.

Having trouble keeping track of the changing of the guard? Here’s our handy guide.

Campari Australia

Out: Simon Durrant

In: Jacopo Borsa

Campari Group Australia announced this week that Managing Director Simon Durrant is leaving the business.

Durrant, who has been in the role since 2018, has announced his last day with the company will be 10 July 2024. Borsa is currently Campari Managing Director, Mexico and Central America.

“Jacopo started his Campari career in the marketing department within the Italian Market almost 20 years ago and has subsequently worked across a wide variety of countries and territories in the Group, including Spain, Jamaica, and Mexico,” the company said.

“With his strong experience in RTD, aperitifs as well as the on-trade channel, Jacopo is well positioned to continue the strong growth trajectory of Campari Australia. Jacopo will be relocating to Sydney and will be working with the team on a successful transition.”

Learn more here.

Black Hops

In: Nick Boots

Gold Coast brewery Black Hops has announced Nick Boots will be its new CEO, following the business exiting administration last month.

Boots is an industry veteran who has most recently held General Manager roles at Kegstar (Brambles Ltd) and Stone & Wood (Fermentum Group).

“The reputation Black Hops has for its beers is outstanding and I’m thrilled to be on board,” Boots said.

“Everyone within the industry knows Black Hops beers sit amongst the very best in the market and I am energised by the significant future opportunities for Black Hops beers, brand, brewery, team and the future of the business.”

Learn more here.

Lion

Out: David Smith

In: James Brindley

James Brindley returned to lead Lion Australia on May 1 in what the industry legend describes as “an unexpected turn of fate”.

“After a hiatus of two years, I will be returning to Lion tomorrow,” he said. “I look forward to contributing to the fabulous Australian liquor industry filled with vibrant colleagues, customers, and competitors.”

Lion revealed in April that current Managing Director David Smith was departing from role. Smith had been in the Managing Director role for more than two years and previously held executive roles at Diageo, including Managing Director, Southern Europe and Managing Director, Australia.

Brindley left Lion in 2021 after 27 years, with 12 spent as Managing Director of Lion Australia.

Learn more here.

Australian Vintage

Out: Craig Garvin

Australian Vintage Limited announced the termination last month of CEO Craig Garvin’s employment and the appointment of non-executive director Peter Perrin as Acting Chief Executive Officer.

Australian Vintage said Garvin’s termination was “for engaging in conduct that, in its view, displayed a lack of judgement and was inconsistent with the values of the company and the high standards expected of its Chief Executive Officer.”

The Australian reported Garvin was considering a defamation and a possible wrongful dismissal case and spent Monday with his lawyers.

Garvin was appointed CEO of Australian Vintage Limited in 2019, following Neil McGuigan’s retirement. He was Sales Director at Lion in 2003 before moving to Arnotts, Tabcorp and Parmalat.

The move came at a difficult time for the company, which was holding discussions regarding a merger with Accolade Wines.

Australian Vintage announced a few weeks later that Accolade Wines’ failed buyout offer to Riverland growers has put an end to merger talks between the two drinks giants.

Learn more here.

Metcash

Out: Chris Baddock

In: Kylie Wallbridge

Metcash announced the appointment of Kylie Wallbridge in January 2024 as the new CEO Liquor following the retirement of Chris Baddock.

Baddock retired as CEO of the Metcash Liquor pillar in October 2023 due to health reasons. He was appointed CEO of Metcash Liquor in 2019. He was previously Director of Pinnacle & Direct at Endeavour Group. Before that he spent 11 years with Lion, in roles including Managing Director of Fine Wine Partners.

Wallbridge took over from Acting Liquor CEO John Barakat in March 2024.

Wallbridge has more than 25 years of commercial, brand and marketing experience and is currently Managing Director at Diageo in the United Kingdom where she was responsible for the global Rare spirits, Private Client, Wine and Scottish tourism and retail businesses. She also previously held the position of Managing Director of Diageo in Japan.

Learn more here.

Asahi Group

Out: Robert Iervasi

In: Amanda Sellers

Asahi Group announced the appointment of Amanda Sellers as the new Group CEO of Asahi Beverages Oceania in December 2023.

Sellers had been the interim Group CEO since 13 June 2024, following the sudden resignation of Group CEO Robert Iervasi after 16 years with the business.

Learn more here.

Highlights from the 2023 drinks CEO reshuffle …

Moet Hennessy Australia: Ashley Powell

Former Moet Hennessy Australia & New Zealand Marketing Director Ashley Powell returned to the business as its Managing Director in 2023.

Powell left Australia in 2019 to become Managing Director, Moët Hennessy Champagne and Wines Korea. In 2021 he was appointed Managing Director at Moët Hennessy Diageo Hong Kong & Macau.

Powell oversaw marketing for Moet Hennessy Australia for four years and had been with the drinks manufacturer and distributor for 11 years before moving overseas.

Diageo: Angus McPherson

Diageo Australia Managing Director Angus McPherson announced in June 2023 that he was stepping down from the role to pursue an opportunity outside the company. McPherson was appointed Managing Director of Diageo in 2020 (replacing David Smith, who was moving to Lion).

McPherson was previously Managing Director for TWE Australia & New Zealand.

“It has been an absolute privilege to work at Diageo,” McPherson said. “The team’s resilience and passion for the business and its brands, particularly as we managed the challenges of COVID, is something I am incredibly proud of.”

Diageo appointed Dan Hamilton as his replacement.

Baccardi: Luiz Schmidt

Bacardi Australia announced Schmidt as its new Managing Director in May 2023. He has more than 20 years of experience leading long-term marketing and business strategy in companies such as Brown-Forman and Edrington in Australia, United States, Brazil, Mexico and Latin America. His last Australian role was as senior brand manager for Jack Daniel’s and Gentleman Jack from 2012-2014.

Schmidt replaced Simon Owen, who became Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand in April 2021 following Mauricio Vergara becoming PATRÓN President and Chief Operating Officer. Owen has returned to the UK to head up plant-based company Redefine Meat.

Bacardi announced the retirement of Francis Debeuckelaere, Regional President Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand (EUROC) in March. Vijay Subramaniam, Regional President of AMEA and Global Travel Retail added Australia and New Zealand, formerly under the EUROC region, to his responsibilities.

Coles Liquor: Michael Courtney

Courtney took over from Darren Blackhurst as Coles Chief Executive Liquor in 2023. Previously he led the Coles Express business for four years, delivering a winning strategy in the petrol and convenience market and overseeing a successful transition to Viva Energy. Most recently Michael spent the past six months in the eCommerce business, transforming Coles’ customer offer.

Courtney said: “Since my appointment in June, I have spent time visiting many Coles Liquor shops across Australia, and meeting with our dedicated team members. I have been impressed by the strength of our brands, the passion of our team and the pace of our national transformation programs which offer customers a wider range of local wines, craft beers, and boutique spirits, as well as an improved overall customer experience.”

Blackhurst joined the company in 2020, replacing Acting Liquor Director Cathi Scarce who was in the role for two years after Greg Davis was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer of Coles.

Dan Murphy’s: Agnieszka Pfeiffer-Smith

Endeavour Group announced the appointment of Pfeiffer-Smith as its new Dan Murphy’s MD last year. Pfeiffer-Smith is currently the Chief Strategy Officer for Endeavour Group.

She replaced Alex Freudmann, who returned to the UK after 13 years in Australia to become the new Managing Director of Food at British retailer M&S.

Lion: Sam Fischer

Sam Fischer joined Lion Group as its CEO in July 2022, following Stuart Irvine stepping down after nine years in the role.

Fischer was previously at Diageo, where he was President Asia Pacific and Global Travel, and a member of the Global Diageo Executive Committee.

The new-old drinks drinks CEO guard

The last big drinks industry reshuffle was in 2021. Here’s a rundown on the new-old guard …

Accolade: Robert Foye

Foye was appointed CEO of Accolade Wines in 2020, replacing Matthew Stanton (now CEO of Barambah Organics. Foye was previously COO of Treasury Wine Estates. .

CUB: Danny Celoni

Celoni was announced as CEO of CUB in 2021, replacing Peter Filipovic. Celoni was previously CEO of PepisCo.

Australian Vintage: Craig Garvin

Garvin was appointed CEO of Australian Vintage Limited in 2019, following Neil McGuigan’s retirement. He was Sales Director at Lion in 2003 before moving to Arnotts, Tabcorp and Parmalat.

Australian Vintage announced last week that it is initiating a strategic review that may lead to potential third-party interest from domestic and international parties, in part or in whole, for the company.

Pernod Ricard Winemakers: Brian Fry

Fry was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pernod Ricard Winemakers in 2019, following Bruno Rain’s retirement. Fry was appointed Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Pacific in 2016. He was Regional Manager Asia/Pacific for Orlando Wyndham in 2000 and went on to become President and CEO of Pernod Ricard USA.

Brown-Forman: Eveline Albarracin

Albarracin was aappointed Managing Director, Brown-Forman ANZPI in 2019. She joined the drinks industry following the retirement of Marc Satterthwaite.

Treasury Wine Estates: Tim Ford

Treasury Wine Estates confirmed its Chief Operating Officer, Tim Ford, had stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer in 2020, following Michael Clarke’s retirement.