Suntory Oceania has announced that CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania Darren Fullerton will retire at the end of March 2025.

Up until then, Fullerton will continue to lead the final development stages of Suntory Oceania ahead of its launch to market at the end of June next year. Following this, Fullerton will step down into an advisory role for Suntory Oceania.

After more than 12 years of experience working in CEO positions across Suntory, PepsiCo, and Winc, Fullerton believes now is the right time to embark on his next chapter.

“Working at Suntory for the past five years has been a career highlight,” he said.

“Being part of an organisation that aligns so closely with my values and unlocking the potential of our Oceania business has been an incredible privilege.”

Makiko Ono, President of Suntory Beverage & Food, added: “Darren has been an extraordinary leader, driving growth, innovation and a culture of excellence in Oceania. He has lived the One Suntory mindset and set a benchmark for our future global business.”

Since joining Suntory in 2020, Fullerton has played a pivotal role in evolving the business into a leading business player across both Australia and New Zealand. Perhaps most notably, he has worked closely with Mark Hill, Managing Director of Suntory Global Spirits Oceania, to build Suntory Oceania, a landmark partnership between Suntory Global Spirits and Frucor Suntory.

Once launched, Suntory Oceania will be Oceania’s fourth largest beverage player, uniting end-to-end manufacturing, sales and distribution of Suntory's licensed and non-alcohol portfolios. At the centre of the project is a new manufacturing facility in Swansea, Queensland, which has been described as “the largest single FMCG investment in Australia in over a decade.”

According to Fullerton, “the creation of Suntory Oceania firmly positions the business for a strong and successful future, built on a foundation of Suntory’s ambitious Yatte Minahare spirit.

“I know the team will continue to thrive and I look forward to supporting the business in an advisory role.”

Suntory Oceania says a successor will be announced in due course.

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