MOVERS AND SHAKERS
7 MARCH 2025 ASIAN TRADER 9
PML appoints Iain Levy as
Head of Field Force
Keeping up with the latest industry
moves and promotions
Movers and Shakers
Simon Kerry has been appointed
Managing Director of Molson
Coors Beverage Company’s
Western Europe division.
He takes over from Phil
Whitehead, who
became President and
CEO of the interna-
tional brewer’s EMEA
& APAC division last
month.
Kerry, who has
been at Molson Coors
for 13 years, was
formerly Finance
Director for the UK
and Ireland before becoming
EMEA & APAC Chief Finance
Ofcer in 2019.
“Simon knows our local and
international business very well
and has been an instrumental
part of our company’s perfor-
mance over a number of years.
He has the drive and vision
required for the next stage of our
journey and the continued
evolution of our brand portfo-
lio,” said Whitehead.
“A great leader and passion-
ate ambassador for our
wider beer and
hospitality industry, I
can think of no one
better to take us
forward from here.”
Simon Kerry said:
“What this business has
achieved over the past
few years, particularly
coming out of the
pandemic and rebuilding in a
very volatile economic environ-
ment, is a testament to the
passion and commitment of our
people and the strength of our
brands. I feel privileged to take
on this role and to have the
opportunity to lead this business
through its next chapter.”
Simon Kerry takes the helm
at Molson Coors
Philip Morris Limited (PML), the
afliate of Philip Morris
International (PMI) in the UK
and Ireland, has appointed Iain
Levy to the role of Head of Field
Force.
As the new Head of Field
Force, he will be working
directly with PML’s
customers in the
convenience and vape
channels, developing
a pipeline of dedicated
retail activations that
support the channels
consumer needs, particu-
larly in the face of the upcoming
Tobacco and Vapes legislation.
Iain began his journey at
PML as a Regional Area Manager
in 2014 and most recently
National Vape Manager. His
expertise saw him rise to the
position of Commercial
Manager for Ireland, before
moving back to the UK, where
he successfully expanded the
market’s multi-category
portfolio of smoke-free
alternatives, replacing ciga-
rettes with breakthrough
alternatives, like IQOS, the UK’s
number one heat-not-burn
system.
Prior to PML, Iain held
senior positions at
Coca-Cola Enterprises,
Allied Bakeries and
Brakes Group. His
background in
commercial opera-
tions makes him
well-equipped to drive
engagement with trade
partners, providing multi-cate-
gory leadership for retailers
embracing the smoke-free
future during this critical period
for the sector.
Iain assumes the role from
Cem Uzundal, who was recently
appointed to the position of
Head of Commercial Operations
EU Region, at PMI.
Sarah Baldwin joins Kingsland
Drinks as MD
Manchester-based wine and spirits
firm Kingsland Drinks Group has
announced the appointment of Sa-
rah Baldwin as Managing Director.
Baldwin will lead the employ-
ee-owned, full-service drinks
company from April, leaving Purity
Soft Drinks, where she sat as chief
executive for over six
years.
With a strong back-
ground in FMCG cover-
ing retail, consumer
brands and own label, she
has extensive commer-
cial experience earned in
senior leadership roles
at Gü Puds as MD, Arla
Foods as VP marketing
(UK) and Asda as category director.
Baldwin is a long-standing board
member and executive council
member of the British Soft Drinks
Association.
Sarah’s appointment follows
the departure of Ed Baker, who led
the business until November 2024.
Andy Sagar, Kingsland Drinks
Group chairman, said: “Sarah’s
extensive experience in drinks and
the wider FMCG industry will play
a considerable role in the coming
years as we continue to build our
position as a competi-
tive full-service drinks
company.”
In recent years King-
sland has upweighted its
focus on spirits and no
and low alcohol creation
and increased its capacity
to pack wines and spirits
in new and emerging
formats.
Baldwin said, “I very much
embrace the opportunity to
embark on this new chapter at
Kingsland Drinks Group and be
part of how the firm grows in the
long term.”
JTI announces Stephane Berset
as General Manager
JTI has announced the appoint-
ment of Stephane Berset as UK
General Manager.
He has taken over the position
from Tom Osborne, and having
been with the business 24 years
has extensive knowledge
of the company having
worked in various
roles in Hong Kong,
Switzerland, Turkey,
Austria, Greece, Italy,
Czechia and the United
Kingdom.
His previous role was as GM
for JTI Czech Republic, Hun-
gary & Slovakia, and before that,
Stephane held the position of Mar-
keting Vice President at JTI UK.
“I’m pleased to re-join the
exceptional JTI UK team after my
time in Europe,” said Berset. “My
priorities are to maintain JTI’s
leading market share in the UK,
grow our presence in Reduced Risk
Products and adapt our business to
any new regulation in the Tobacco
and Vapes Bill.
“JTI UK remains com-
mitted to supporting
our retail partners to
ensure that together we
can continue to thrive
and stamp out illegal
activity.
“It is more important
than ever for the voice of the local
retailer to be heard. We encourage
retailers to continue to speak with
trade bodies and contact MPs.”
Tom Osborne has moved to a
new role as Regional President
North Asia at JTI and is now based
in Japan.