Lion appoints Anubha Sahasrabuddhe as CEO, restructures of Australasian operations
Lion merges its Australian and New Zealand businesses into Lion ANZ as Sahasrabuddhe takes over leadership from October.
AUSTRALIA – Australasian alcohol company Lion, a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Kirin, has named Anubha Sahasrabuddhe as its new chief executive officer.
She will assume the role on 1 October, succeeding Sam Fischer, who is set to become CEO of Treasury Wine Estates.
Sahasrabuddhe currently serves as Lion’s chief growth and commercial officer and co-leads the Lion Australia division alongside James Brindley.
Her appointment comes at a pivotal time as the company merges its Australian and New Zealand operations to form Lion ANZ, an integrated unit aimed at strengthening the group’s regional presence.
The restructuring will place a single leadership team at the head of the unified business, a move the company says will enable faster decision-making and stronger collaboration across both markets.
Reflecting on her appointment, Sahasrabuddhe highlighted Lion’s ongoing transformation, which includes investments in brand innovation, digital platforms, and supply chain improvements.
She stated that Lion ANZ would position the company as an “Australasian powerhouse”, enhancing its ability to drive growth while building on more than 180 years of heritage.
Sahasrabuddhe joined Lion in 2021 as chief marketing officer, following senior leadership roles at The Coca-Cola Company and Mars Wrigley across Asia Pacific and the United States.
Lion noted that its US businesses, New Belgium Brewing and Distinguished Vineyards, have grown sufficiently to report directly to parent company Kirin, allowing Lion to focus its investments and strategy on its Australian and New Zealand markets.
As part of the new Lion ANZ leadership team, several executive changes have been announced. Alicia Purtell, chief people and transformation officer, and Triston King, chief financial officer, will depart in March 2026. They will be succeeded by Jane Hill and Severine Yerriah, respectively.
Meanwhile, James Brindley will remain managing director of Lion Australia until the end of 2025, after which he will transition to a strategic advisory role.
Brindley will continue leading Lion’s spirits business and maintain direct relationships with key customers and external partners.
In New Zealand, Craig Baldie, currently managing director, has been appointed chief operating officer. His responsibilities will span sales, marketing, strategy, digital transformation, sustainability, and container deposit schemes.
These changes, effective from 1 October 2025, coincide with Lion’s broader efforts to strengthen its regional footprint.
In July 2023, Lion expanded its spirits portfolio with the acquisition of Four Pillars Gin, adding to Kirin’s existing brands such as Four Roses Bourbon and Fuji Japanese whisky.
At the heart of these strategic shifts, Sahasrabuddhe will oversee Lion ANZ’s next phase of growth, guiding the company’s iconic beer and spirits brands across Australia and New Zealand.
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