Suntory Global Spirits Names Carol Robert to Lead US RTDs

Suntory Global Spirits, a world leader in premium spirits, today announced that Carol Robert has been named Managing Director, United States RTD (Ready to Drink) Business, succeeding Heather Boyd, who will assume a new role at the company.

“Over the last decade, Carol has been an incredible leader at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I), driving growth across the UK and Ireland businesses,” said Carlo Coppola, President of North America at Suntory Global Spirits. “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 #1 RTD company in the world.”

Robert first joined SBF GB&I, part of Suntory Beverage & Food Europe (SBFE) which is a regional division of Japan based Suntory Group, in 2014. Serving in a variety of brand, marketing and management roles, she also spent two years running SBFE’s Belgium operations before taking on her most recent position as Chief Operating Officer for SBF GB&I. As COO, Robert oversaw the performance of two iconic British brands, Lucozade and Ribena, delivering +7.2% topline CAGR and +12.1% operating income during her tenure.

“It’s been an incredible ten years at SBF GB&I and I’m forever grateful to the outstanding people I have had the pleasure to work with along the way. It’s now time for a new adventure within the Suntory Group and I look forward to stepping into this new role in one of the industry’s most exciting categories,” said Robert. “We launched the -196 RTD brand in SBF GB&I this year so I can’t wait to take these learnings and apply them to the US market. The pace of innovation and growth in RTDs, and the size of the opportunity within the US is an exciting challenge.”

Effective today, Robert will report to Sho Semba, CEO of Suntory RTD Company, and join both the Suntory Global Spirits North America Leadership Team and Executive Management Team. She will relocate to the company’s New York City headquarters, working closely with Coppola.

Suntory Global Spirits has set the ambitious goal of $3 billion in RTD sales by 2030, supported by the company’s successful portfolio of RTD brands including On The Rocks and -196. In 2023, RTDs were reported to be the fastest growing spirits category by revenue and analysts expect the sector to grow to $50 billion by 2030. Robert will lead the company’s work to grow its existing US portfolio as well as its innovation pipeline, overseeing both strategic ventures and new-to-world innovations.

Robert will succeed Heather Boyd, who will remain with Suntory Global Spirits in a new role to be announced at a later date and continue to serve as an impactful leader for the company. Since joining Suntory Global Spirits in 2021, Boyd has spearheaded the US RTD business, building out the portfolio and laying the foundation for its current and future success in the category.

About Suntory Global Spirits

As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker's Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196 and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails. A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit suntoryglobalspirits.com and drinksmart.com.

About Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain and Ireland

Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain and Ireland (SBF GB&I) is one of the leading soft drinks businesses in the UK and Ireland. SBF GB&I was formed in 2014 as Lucozade Ribena Suntory and is part of Suntory Beverage & Food Europe. Our much-loved soft drinks brands include Lucozade Energy, Lucozade Sport, Ribena and Orangina.

Our business is driven by our “Yatte Minahare” spirit and our role is to have a positive impact on the lives of our consumers by providing them with a responsible choice of great-tasting drinks that people can feel good about while enabling them to lead active lifestyles.

For further information, please visit: suntorybeverageandfood-europe.com/gbi/ or follow @SuntoryBF_GBI