MOVERS AND SHAKERS
48 ASIAN TRADER 17 OCTOBER 2025
Purity Soft Drinks appoints
new chairman
Keeping up with the latest industry
moves and promotions
Movers and Shakers
Philip Morris Limited (PML), the
affiliate of Philip Morris
International (PMI) in the UK
and Ireland, has announced the
appointment of Peter Nixon as
its new Managing Director.
Peter will oversee all aspects
of PML’s business operations,
with a focus on accelerating
growth of its multi-cate
gory portfolio of smoke-
free products. As the
organisation continues
to expand its innova
tive product portfolio,
his extensive knowledge of
both global PMI markets and the
UK, means he’s well-positioned
to lead the business in its
smoke-free mission.
Since starting his career in
major consultancy firms, Peter
has spent more than 20 years
with PMI, working in Moscow,
Tokyo and Lausanne across roles
in external affairs and business
development. He previously
served as PML Managing
Director (2016-2021), where he
navigated the business through
the successful launch of IQOS, its
flagship heat-not-burn device,
and since then has been Vice
President of Business
Development and of
External Affairs at PMI.
Peter succeeds
Christian Woolfenden,
who has left the business.
“It’s great to be back at
PML, especially at such a pivotal
time for the company and the
industry,” said Peter Nixon. “I am
committed to delivering a
business that enables the six
million adults who smoke to
switch from cigarettes to better
alternatives.”
Peter Nixon returns as MD
to Philip Morris Ltd
Purity Soft Drinks, makers of
Juice Burst and Firefly, has
appointed David Collard as
Chairman.
Collard brings extensive
leadership experience from
across the food and drink sector,
most recently as CEO and Chair
of The Bart Ingredients
Company. His track
record includes driving
strategic growth,
leading acquisitions,
and expanding retail
presence across major UK
grocers.
“I am delighted to be joining
Purity Soft Drinks,” said
Collard. The business has a
strong heritage, a dynamic
team, and a clear ambition for
growth. I look forward to
working closely with the
leadership team, including CEO
Jonathan Duffin, and the team
at Purity’s majority sharehold
ers Verdane, to help shape the
next phase of development.”
He succeeds Rooney Anand,
who has stepped down as
Chairman after 13 successful
years with the business. Under
Anand’s leadership, Purity Soft
Drinks has grown significantly
and is well-positioned for
continued success,
reporting annual
turnover of £27M+ for
the last financial year.
On behalf of Purity
Soft Drinks, board
member and Director at
Verdane, Camilla Skiffard,
added, “We would like to thank
Rooney for his dedication and
outstanding contribution to
Purity Soft Drinks over the
years, including the past four
under Verdane’s ownership. We
look forward to working with
David as the business moves
forward.”
James Lowman steps
down as ACS chief
Convenience store body Associa
tion of Convenience Stores (ACS)
has announced that the upcoming
departure of its Chief Executive
James Lowman, who will leave the
organisation in early 2026.
Lowman joined ACS in March
1997 and was appointed Chief
Executive in November 2006.
He has led lobbying campaigns
to bring about tangible differences
to policy on product regulation,
trading hours, employment rules
and planning policy, appearing
before several parliamentary
committees, speaking at party
conference events and in various
policy forums.
“On behalf of the ACS Board,
I would like to express our deep
gratitude to James Lowman for his
outstanding leadership and unwa
vering commitment
to the ACS over the
past nearly three decades,” said
ACS Chair Ramesh Shingadia.
“Since taking on the role of
CEO in 2006, James has been
an extraordinary leader who has
transformed the organisation,
strengthened its voice in govern
ment and the media, and champi
oned the interests of convenience
retailers across the UK. Lowman
said: “It’s been a fantastic privilege
to lead ACS through some exciting
and challenging times for our
sector. I have loved the work and
engaging with such a wide range of
people and businesses.
“This is the best sector anyone
could hope to represent – it’s a
brilliant and varied job that I will
miss.
Dr. Beckmann Group hires
new UK MD
Dr. Beckmann Group has an
nounced the appointment of
David Shaw as its new managing
director for the UK, marking a sig
nificant step forward in the brand’s
long-term growth ambitions.
Based at the company’s North-
west headquarters in Irlam, David
took the wheel in September and
will play a key role in unlocking
new opportunities for the UK
business. He will oversee all com
mercial operations while working
closely with international teams
to support Dr. Beckmann’s wider
global plans.
The appointment comes as Dr.
Beckmann celebrates 15 con
secutive years of growth in the
UK, with David’s leadership an
instrumental step in building on
this momentum and identifying
new opportunities for innovation,
category expansion and continued
outperformance in the household
category.
David brings more than two
decades of FMCG experience
to the role with senior roles at
industry powerhouses under his
belt, including Procter & Gamble,
Samsung, Sony and most recently
Kraft Heinz. Known for driv
ing results and building strong,
high-performing teams, he brings
a hands-on leadership style and
a strong commercial focus to the
role.
David Shaw said, “I’m excited
to join Dr. Beckmann at such a
dynamic time. The brand has estab
lished a strong foundation in the
UK and my focus is to ensure we
continue to thrive in this competi
tive landscape.