Suntory Global Spirits Promotes Carol Robert to Managing Director of U.S. RTD
Premium beverage manufacturer Suntory Global Spirits is continuing its ready-to-drink expansion through the naming of Carol Robert as managing director of its U.S. RTD business.
In the role, Robert will lead the existing U.S. RTD portfolio and the company’s innovation pipeline, identifying new ventures and innovation opportunities. The company’s existing RTD portfolio includes such brands as On The Rocks and -196.
She plans to take insights from the -196 launch and apply learnings to the U.S. market. “The pace of innovation and growth in RTDs, and the size of the opportunity within the U.S. is an exciting challenge,” said Robert in a statement.
Robert's Background
Robert has been promoted from her COO role for SBF GB&I, which is part of the company’s regional Europe beverage and food division. During that time, Robert managed two British brands, Lucozade and Ribena, delivering 7.2% topline CAGR and 12.1% operating income growth. Robert also took on other roles since joining in 2014, including running SBFE’s Belgium operations and working across brand growth, marketing, and management.
Robert joins the North America leadership team and executive management team, reporting to CEO of Suntory RTD Company Sho Semba. She replaces Heather Boyd, who joined the company in 2021 and helped build out the company’s RTD portfolio.
Boyd will remain with the company in a new role that will be announced at a later date.
“Over the last decade, Carol has been an incredible leader at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, driving growth across the UK and Ireland businesses,” said Carlo Coppola, president of North America at Suntory Global Spirits, in a statement.
“We are thrilled to welcome her to the North America leadership team, leveraging her management and CPG expertise to move closer to our goal of becoming the No. 1 RTD company in the world,” Coppola added.
