Two new leaders emerge in Lion's sales restructure

Lion Australia has appointed Warwick Parks as its new Sales Director, and Kerry Appathurai as its new Customer Solutions Director in a new sales leadership structure.

Lion Australia Managing Director James Brindley said the remits of the two new roles were strategic and intended to set Lion up for success over the next decade, and for driving future growth.

“In the newly formed Sales Director role, Warwick Parks will focus on engagement, execution and selling,” Brindley said.

“Warwick has deep experience leading large and complex teams. Over the last seventeen years he has worked across many parts of the Lion sales functions from the Endeavour Group to Independents and On Premise.  He has worked in Field Sales roles in NSW, VIC & TAS and since 2018 has held the Sales Strategy and Services Director role. 

“During these last two years Warwick has been driving our strategic sales projects focused on driving a better experience for our customers and Lion.  Warwick has a strong history in being open to and actioning new ideas and concepts and with his wealth of experience and strong team engagement, I know we are setting up the future direction of Sales with the right focus for sustained success.”

As Customer Solutions Director, Kerry Appathurai will focus on maximising the SAP platform, the associated technology and broader capability around category development and channel plans.

“Kerry has been with Lion for two and a half years as the Customer Director for Endeavour Drinks and has demonstrated great passion and expertise for people, results and customer partnerships to deliver strong results over this time,” Brindley said.

“Kerry has over twenty years’ experience in FMCG across both the retail and supplier landscape including senior roles in Parmalat and Nestlé and brings a strong customer lens and experience in category and channel strategy. This experience and Kerry’s personal attributes of challenging the status quo, her can-do attitude and winning through strong collaboration will set her up for great success leading the Customer Solutions team.”

Parks and Appathurai commence their new roles immediately