LNNZ Managing Director to lead National Foods in Australia

Managing Director of Lion Nathan New Zealand Appointed to Lead National Foods in Australia

Auckland, New Zealand: Peter Kean, Managing Director of Lion Nathan National Foods’ New Zealand and Global Wine businesses has been appointed Managing Director of Australian food and beverage giant, National Foods, taking effect from 1 April 2011.

In 2009 National Foods and Lion Nathan merged into one of Australasia’s largest food and beverage groups after Kirin Holdings Company Limited completed its purchase of Lion Nathan.

National Foods is one of Australasia’s largest FMCG companies, with annual turnover of approximately AU$3.5b, employing over 4,000 people and producing category-leading brands in milk and dairy beverages, juice, fresh dairy, cheese and soy

Peter Kean will take over from Andrew Reeves, who is leaving the business to take on the role of CEO for George Westons Foods, based in Sydney.

Mr Kean has been with Lion for almost 25 years, the last six as Managing Director. In late 2010 his leadership responsibilities were extended with the integration of Lion’s Global Wine business into Lion Nathan New Zealand.

In making the announcement, Rob Murray, Chief Executive of Lion Nathan National Foods said Peter Kean’s appointment is a reflection of his success in consistently delivering EBIT targets in a very challenging and highly complex market environment.

“Under Peter’s leadership, Lion Nathan has successfully implemented a number of sustainable growth strategies and transformational initiatives including the evolution of the NZ business to a multi-beverage model comprising New Zealand’s best-loved beverage brands.

“Peter has relentlessly focussed on innovation, brand health, sales execution, increasing customer engagement and developing a manufacturing excellence platform.

“That same commitment will now be applied to National Foods as the organisation continues to invest in strategic assets and to create a business fully focussed on the needs of customers and consumers.

“There is no doubt the current operating environment for National Foods is a challenging one, not least of which because the conditions in both the dairy and juice sectors remain very challenging for farmers and producers alike. Peter’s experience over the past five years in transforming the New Zealand business in similarly challenging circumstances will be critical going forward.

“While Peter’s appointment sees him leaving Lion’s New Zealand operation, his exceptional talents and extraordinary energy will continue to benefit the wider Lion Nathan National Foods business.

He leaves our New Zealand operation in excellent shape and strong heart; with a business strategy and achievement culture that will ensure the organisation’s continued success well into the future.” concluded Mr Murray.

An announcement regarding the role of Managing Director for Lion Nathan New Zealand will be made in the near future.

ENDS

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