beam suntorySarah Langley, a global leader in premium spirits, will succeed Paula Erickson, who will retire on April 1 after a 15-year career with the company, as senior vice president and chief people, culture and communications officer. announced that he had been appointed.
“On behalf of Suntory Holdings CEO Taku Niinami and the Beam Suntory Board of Directors, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Paula for her significant contribution to our business as we have evolved and grown over the past 15 years. “We want to represent that,” said Greg Hughes. , President and Representative Director of Beam Suntory. “Paula is a generous, passionate and people-centered leader who has had a tremendous impact on this organization, especially as we have undergone major transformation as a company. I am grateful for her partnership over the years, especially since stepping into the CEO role in recent months.”
Mr. Ericsson joined the company in 2008 to lead corporate communications and public relations, and was promoted to management as chief human resources officer in 2014 following its acquisition by Suntory Holdings. During her tenure, the company experienced tremendous growth, with sales nearly tripling and the talent pool increasing from 2,400 to approximately 6,500 employees in 100 markets. Under Ericsson’s leadership, the company has accelerated its diversity, equity and inclusion ambitions, made significant changes to its benefits offerings, achieved a ranking of the best places to work worldwide, and successfully navigated the pandemic and built a best-in-class global company. Human Resources and Communications Team.
“I am extremely grateful for my career journey at Beam Suntory. I could never have imagined all the achievements we can achieve together to grow our business and develop our special culture,” said Ericsson. says. “I am extremely grateful for Greg’s leadership and friendship, and have great confidence in Sarah’s leadership as she takes the reins to lead the people side of our business into the future.”
Mr Langley, whose career spanned 20 years at Suntory, joined the company’s Oceania drinks division, Frucor, in 2004, ultimately serving as chief human resources and communications officer from 2008 to 2018. He was then promoted to Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Suntory Holdings. He spearheaded Suntory’s company-wide global talent efforts in the Global HR department based in Tokyo.
Since 2020, Mr. Langley has held the role of chief operating officer, global talent and culture for the Suntory/Beam Suntory hybrid company, and vice president of human resources for Beam Suntory in the Asia Pacific region, leading the company’s talent, talent, and culture leadership. I have worked hard to build it. , and community involvement.
“Sarah is a strong and experienced leader who will position our company for continued growth and strengthen our people, culture and communications as we further our ambition to become the world’s most admired premium spirits company.” He is well-positioned to lead the function,” Hughes said.
Langley will be responsible for the company’s global talent strategy, compensation and benefits, culture, learning, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, organizational development and corporate communications. She will report directly to Mr. Hughes and will be part of the company’s executive leadership team.
Originally from New Zealand, Langley earned a bachelor’s degree in business psychology and a master’s degree in industrial psychology from Massey University in Auckland. She began her career consulting for her Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and Sheffield Limited in Oceania before joining Frucor. Mr. Langley will be based at Beam Suntory’s global headquarters in New York City.