Suntory Oceania has announced the appointment of Daisuke Minato as CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania, effective from April 2025.

The company described Minato as a “highly respected leader in the global beverage industry” with extensive experience in both non-alcohol and alcohol industries.

“Dai has been a key architect in shaping Suntory’s multinational business across the Japan, Europe, Asia Pacific and US markets,” Suntory Oceania said.

Suntory Oceania CEO Minato (above, left) will join Suntory Global Spirits Oceania Managing Director Mark Hill (above, right) in leading the $3 billion multi-beverage business as it prepares to go live from mid-2025.

Darren Fullerton, who announced his retirement in late 2024, will leave the business later this year. Fullerton will continue to support the final stages of creating Suntory Oceania as a strategic advisor.

“We are deeply grateful for his invaluable contributions and leadership,” Suntory Oceania said.

Suntory revenue rise for 2024

Suntory announced earlier this month that its revenue in the year ending 31 December 2024, including liquor tax, for its alcoholic beverages segment was 1,392.9 billion yen, up 1.1% year on year.

Suntory Holdings President & Chief Executive Officer Takeshi Niinami said: “2024 was a challenging year, as global cost increases and inflation persisted, leading to economic stagnation in many countries.

“As a result, market conditions and the competitive environment deteriorated across multiple regions and businesses.

“However, even under such challenging conditions, Suntory Group leveraged its strengths as a global, multifaceted beverages company, and achieved record-high revenue and operating income for the full year.”

The company also revealed that -196, which launched in Europe and also expanded in the US and Southeast Asia in 2024, delivered high single digit sales and volume growth in the year ending December 2024.

Suntory said its top line was expected to benefit in 2025 due to increased sales volume from the production of alcoholic beverages in Australia.