Asahi Beverages confirms new CEO

Amanda Sellers has been named as new group CEO of Asahi Beverages, Asahi Group Holdings’ Oceania business, having served as interim leader since June.

Sellers took on the role of interim CEO after previous holder Robert Iervasi, who had been in the position since 2019, stood down.

Atsushi Katsuki, president and CEO of Asahi Group Holdings, said that the board has “huge confidence” in Sellers, who has more than 20 years of experience in the drinks industry, having previously served as CFO Asia and Europe and CFO Australia and New Zealand at Antipodean wine giant Treasury Wines. She joined Asahi Beverages in February 2019 as group chief financial officer. Sellers’ appointment also makes her the first female CEO of a regional headquarters within the Asahi Group.

Sellers said of the confirmation of her CEO role: “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.”

Allpress Espresso was added to Asahi Beverages’ portfolio under Iervasi’s leadership in 2021. Other brands under Asahi Beverages include Pepsi, Pilsner Urquell, Peroni, Mountain Dew, Lipton and Nikka Whisky.

“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.”

Related reading:

Climate change could lead to beer shortages, Asahi chief warns

Asahi to invest in Hungarian beer in a big way