New COO for Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I
Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I, which owns the Forest of Dean factory, which makes Lucozade and Ribena, said Elise Seibold will be its new chief operating officer with effect from November 1 this year.
Seibold lives in the UK and joined the Suntory Group in 2004 as Schweppes assistant brand manager. She has progressed through the organisation and most recently has served as marketing director for UK and Ireland.
Under her leadership, she has launched impactful campaigns, including a new Lucozade advert starring Jude Bellingham, enhanced brand presence in football with the sponsoring of Liverpool FC, and orchestrated the re-launch of Ribena’s iconic “Berries”.
She has also overseen the launch of -196, the company’s first move into the ready-to-drink alcohol category.
Seibold said: "I am honoured to step into the role of chief operating officer of the UK and Ireland, and to lead our incredible team into the next phase of growth. I like to say that I was born and raised in Suntory having been with the company for most of my professional life.
"My incoming priorities are continuing to drive innovation in all that we do while striving for operational excellence and pursue a relentless commitment to serving our customers, consumers and the community while living our value of Growing for Good.
"I look forward to carrying on the great work from my predecessor, Carol Robert, and harnessing the talents of our people who work across the UK and Ireland business."
Seibold will also join the executive committee of regional group, Suntory Beverage & Food Europe and will report to CEO Pierre Decroix.
"For the last twenty years, Elise has been an integral part of our Suntory team, demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication," he said.
In 2023, the company reported an annual turnover of £543m. Headquartered in London, it operates one manufacturing site in Gloucestershire and employs 695 people across UK and Ireland.