Peter West steps up to lead Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

Peter West will the lead new Australia, Pacific and Indonesia Business Unit following acquisition of Coca-Cola Amatil by Coca-Cola European Partners.

West is currently Managing Director of Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) Australia and will become Vice President and General Manager for the newly created Australia, Pacific and Indonesia (API) Business Unit. He will also join the executive leadership team of Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) when the new business comes into play which it is to be expected on 10 May.

The leadership of CCEP’s existing business units and central functions remains unchanged. The new business unit’s operations include Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand Fiji and the Pacific Islands. 

Damian Gammell, CEO of CCEP, said: “Our operating model, with the addition of the Australia, Pacific and Indonesia business unit, ensures we remain close to our customers, communities and stakeholders. It allows us to make the most of our deep local insight, experience and market understanding and meet the specific needs of our stakeholders.” 

Commenting on appointment of Peter West, Mr Gammell said: “Peter brings a great understanding of the Coca-Cola business in the region, as well as a 30-year strong track record of success and experience from major consumer brands across multiple markets including Lion's Dairy and Drinks business, Mars Confectionary and Arnott’s Biscuits. 

"He has a deep knowledge of Australian, Pacific and international FMCG, and a proven ability to work with customers and partners to drive growth and deliver results.” 

The company’s name will change to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) and will combine the strength and scale of a large, multi-national business with an expert, local knowledge of the customers and communities.

A Coca-Cola Amatil spokesperson confirmed that CCA CEO Alison Watkins' tenure at Coca-Cola Amatil has come to an end. She will be stepping down from her role and departing Amatil following the implementation of the Scheme, expected on 10 May.

Watkins has lead the business since 2014 and joined the Reserve Bank board in December. She told the AFR earlier this month:

“You never achieve as much as you’d like to but there are some really good reasons to be pleased with what we’ve done, and we feel we’re handing the business over with a great outcome for independent shareholders to CCEP, who will be a good owner.”

Coca-Cola Amatil shares will ceased trading on Wednesday after fifty years as a listed company with new owners announcing the company's new name on the same day.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners will be the world’s largest Coca-Cola bottler and one of the leading FMCG companies in the world. The company will employ over 33,000 people, serving approximately 2 million customers in 26 countries.

CEO, Coca-Cola European Partners, Damian Gammell said: “This is a significant moment for Coca-Cola Amatil and Coca-Cola European Partners, and our new name reflects what will be a broader and more balanced geographic footprint, doubling our consumer reach. As one company, we can go further together, driving growth and scaling faster.

“Our business is built on great people, great service and great beverages – done sustainably, creating value that benefits all stakeholders. “

Last week Amatil joined the global RE100 renewable energy initiative, committing to use 100 per cent renewable energy in six countries by 2030 as part of its net zero by 2040 Sustainability Ambitions.

Its operations in Indonesia, Fiji, Samoa and Papua New Guinea will all be powered by renewables by the end of the decade and by 2025 in Australia and New Zealand.

Recently, CCA has cut costs by more than $140 million and become a more sustainable outfit, reducing sugar content in beverages by 10 per cent in Australia and 17 per cent in Indonesia, and shifting to 50 per cent recycled plastic bottles.