After stating its intentions to become the number one RTD company in the world, Suntory Global Spirits has appointed Davin Nugent as president of Global RTD. 

Reporting directly to president and CEO Greg Hughes, Nugent will oversee Suntory’s global strategy for the RTD category. 

He joins the team with more than 25 years of experience in the beverage industry, most notably as global vice president of innovation at Anheuser-Busch InBev, where he led a review of the company’s Beyond Beer business. 

Prior to this, Nugent held the position of CEO of Mark Anthony Brands International, where he spearheaded the creation of White Claw Hard Seltzer. 

Elsewhere in his career, he established Kopparberg Cider as the largest fruit cider in the UK and introduced the product to the Irish market. 

On his appointment, Nugent said: “Suntory is world renowned for its dedication to craftsmanship, which has led the company to be a leader in the competitive RTD markets in Japan and Australia. 

“This is a category that continues to grow as consumers seek convenience and high-quality experiences, so I’m thrilled to be joining the team to capitalise on this opportunity and support the long-term growth of Suntory’s RTD business.”   

Hughes added: “Our aspiration is to be the #1 RTD company globally by enhancing our capabilities to quickly optimize taste and design for local markets. 

“I am confident Davin will help us sharpen our focus on executing our RTD priorities, building momentum for our brands around the world and further strengthening our position in this critical category.”