AUS/NZ: Beam Inc appoints COO for Oceania business

By James Wilmore | 13 February 2014

Beam has created the role of COO at its Australian and New Zealand businesses

Beam Inc has appointed a former PepsiCo executive to lead its Australia and New Zealand business as chief operating officer.

Cameron Simpson took up the newly-created role on 20 January, the spirits group announced yesterday (11 February). Australia is Beam’s second largest global market and Simpson’s responsibilities will include “driving growth” in the region, the company said.

Last month, the group announced it is restructuring its Australian business to make the unit more "agile", which has reportedly led to some redundancies.

Simpson is also charged with “aligning” the region’s sales, marketing and supply chain and handling Beam’s relationship with its Australia distributor, Coca-Cola Amatil.

Prior to joining Beam, Simpson was senior sales director at PepsiCo’s Australian snack division, Smith’s Snackfood Company.

“Cameron brings to Beam a wealth of commercial expertise and a proven tracks record of building brands and successful businesses,” said Nicholas Fink, president of Beam’s Asia Pacific, South America unit.

Beam is expected to be acquired by Japanese group Suntory for US$16bn later this year, after a deal was announced last month.

Sectors: Spirits