Beam Suntory has named Phil Restall as General Manager of Travel Retail. Restall, currently Beam Suntory Commercial Director in Australia, reports to John Rosair, Managing Director APAC and GTR.
The drinks company said that Restall’s appointment will kick off the transformation of the company’s global travel retail operating model and ensure the delivery of an exciting innovation pipeline – “a step-change in this important channel”.
Beam Suntory said: “The new and transformed operating model will support the company’s ambition to become the recognised industry leader for showcasing brands, partnering with customers, and driving mutually beneficial growth during the COVID-19 recovery period and beyond.
“It will also ensure enhanced support to retail partners and take a more shopper-centric approach to brand-building across markets.”
Restall said: “I am delighted to be stepping into my new role at such a pivotal time for the business. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the GTR industry, Beam Suntory remains confident in the future of this important channel and we are committed to partnering with our customers for a fast recovery.
“I very much look forward to working with the team to demonstrate to our partners our vision for long-term growth and evolution for our GTR business.”
Beam Suntory Global Account Director Richard Warrington takes on the role of Commercial Director Australia, moving to Sydney from the UK as of October. Warrington joined Beam Suntory in 2017 and has played an integral role in building winning partnerships with its Global Travel Retail customers, ensuring category growth for the business, the company said. Beam Suntory GTR will soon commence the recruitment process to replace Warrington’s current Global Key Accounts Director role.
Under Restall’s leadership, Beam Suntory’s GTR team will be divided into three operating groups: Global Accounts, Emerging Markets, and a centralised Marketing team. This new model will allow the business to deliver enhanced support to retail partners and take a more shopper-centric approach to brand-building across markets, the company said.
The establishment of the Global Accounts team, led by Sales Director Global Accounts Simon Knapp, will provide comprehensive support to global customers, including Heinemann, Dufry, Lagardère Travel Retail and Aer Rianta International. The Emerging Markets team, led by Sales Director Emerging Markets, Cruise and 3rd Party, Ashish Gandham, will support the fast-moving pace of developing markets in travel retail, such as the Americas.
In addition, a centralised marketing model and “agile-driven approach” will deliver industry-leading customer and shopper experiences around the world, the company pledged. This new centralised GTR marketing team is led by Ed Stening, Director of Marketing, who joined Beam Suntory in 2018.
Beam Suntory noted that since September 2019, new roles have been created to support the new GTR operating model. “With these expanded resources, Beam Suntory GTR will be well-placed to deliver its ambitious growth plans and provide a stronger infrastructure for its mission to be Beam Suntory’s premium connection to the Global Explorer,” the company said.
Managing Director APAC and GTR John Rosair said: “We are delighted to welcome Phil Restall to the GTR team this year, as we strive to support our customers during this unprecedented time. The evolved structure and increased resources for Beam Suntory’s GTR team will revolutionise how we service customers, putting them firmly at the centre of everything we do.
“We recognise there are differences between emerging and global accounts, meaning there is an absolute need to establish the right structure and processes to support their models.”
Innovation pipeline brimming
Beam Suntory is also investing in the premiumisation of its GTR portfolio through what it described as a rich and exciting innovation pipeline. Beam Suntory GTR announced the launch earlier this year of two rare Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 1965 Vintage Washback editions, exclusive to DFS.
Master craftsman John Galvin designed and created the limited-edition pieces using the authentic Oregon pine from Bowmore’s No.1 washback, inlaid with Sterling silver tree rings to reflect the age of the whisky. The custom-made cabinets were unveiled at the DFS Group Masters of Wines and Spirits 2020 exhibition in Singapore.
November 2019 saw the announcement of Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky as the new exclusive spirits partner of Aston Martin Lagonda. The prestigious partnership will see the two British luxury brands come together to create an exclusive series of products and experiences, starting with the unveiling of Black Bowmore DB5 1964. With only 25 bottles for sale, the exceptionally rare Black Bowmore DB5 1964 is designed as a celebration of time and a definitive moment in history for both Bowmore and Aston Martin.
In October last year, Beam Suntory GTR announced the release of a super-premium 25-year-old Laphroaig, celebrating the life of Bessie Williamson, an icon of Laphroaig and the first female distillery manager to own and run a Scotch whisky distillery in the 20th century. The unique bottle, available exclusively in GTR, is a tribute to this pioneering woman.
John Rosair commented: “The innovation pipeline we have planned is truly second-to-none, with the partnership between Bowmore and Aston Martin setting a strong precedent for more exciting announcements to come. The union of these two iconic luxury brands is a landmark moment in Bowmore’s long-standing history, and the synergy between the two brands when it comes to developing premium offerings is undeniable. We have some very special launches on the horizon which we look forward to sharing in more detail soon.”
Footnote: Beam Suntory is a Platinum Partner at the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo in October.
