Suntory Oceania has named Dai Minato as CEO of its beverage and food division, effective in April.
Minato will succeed current CEO Darren Fullerton, who is set to retire from the role.
Previously, Minato was the chief strategy and finance officer of Suntory Beverage and Food International.
His appointment comes ahead of the partnership between Suntory Global Spirits and Suntory Beverage & Food to create Suntory Oceania, which will go live in Australia this coming July and in New Zealand in January next year.
“Dai’s appointment marks the next era for Suntory in Oceania as he leads the company’s bold growth plans in Oceania,” said Jahanzeb Khan, Suntory Beverage and Food Asia Pacific CEO.
“I am honoured to join the team in Oceania as we become the region’s newest multi-beverage player,” added Minato.
In preparation for the partnership, Suntory Oceania has opened 80 new positions in its licensed route-to-market team.
