Suntory Global Spirits Appoints Vanessa Widmann as Managing Director, Global Travel Retail, Middle East & Africa
Suntory Global Spirits Appoints Vanessa Widmann as Managing Director, Global Travel Retail, Middle East & Africa
July 20, 2026: Suntory Global Spirits, a world leader in premium spirits, has appointed Vanessa Widmann as Managing Director, Global Travel Retail (GTR), Middle East & Africa, effective 1 September.
Based in Singapore, Widmann will report to President International Carol Robert, as part of the International Leadership Team. She joins Suntory Global Spirits from Moët Hennessy, where she most recently served as Managing Director Travel Retail APAC, leading a significant regional business across multiple markets and channels.
Widmann brings extensive global retail, luxury and travel retail experience to the role, with more than 20 years leading commercial and consumer businesses across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. Throughout her career, she has built a strong reputation for driving growth, leading transformation, building high-performing teams and delivering diverse consumer experiences.
Prior to Moët Hennessy, Widmann held senior leadership roles with Levi Strauss & Co., Victoria’s Secret, Coach and LVMH Beauty, across international and travel retail markets.
In her role, she will lead the continued growth of Suntory Global Spirits' Global Travel Retail business, while overseeing the commercial strategy for the Middle East & Africa. Working closely with customers and strategic partners, she will focus on accelerating sustainable growth, elevating consumer experiences and further strengthening the company's portfolio across international travel retail.
"I'm delighted to welcome Vanessa to Suntory Global Spirits," said Carol Robert, President International at Suntory Global Spirits. "Global Travel Retail is one of our most important growth channels and plays a unique role in building our brands with consumers around the world. As we continue to strengthen our International business, we wanted a leader who brings not only deep travel retail expertise, but also fresh perspective from across a diverse range of consumer industries.
"Vanessa's experience leading transformation, building high-performing teams and delivering exceptional consumer and customer experiences across luxury, fashion, beauty and spirits makes her exceptionally well placed to lead the next chapter of growth for our GTR business."
"I'm honoured to be joining Suntory Global Spirits at such an exciting stage in the company's journey. The travel retail channel continues to evolve as one of the most dynamic environments for brand building, consumer engagement and innovation.,” said Vanessa Widmann
"Suntory Global Spirits has an outstanding portfolio of globally recognised brands, strong customer relationships and an incredibly talented team. I look forward to working closely with our customers, partners and colleagues around the world to build on the strong foundations already in place, accelerate sustainable growth and create memorable experiences for travelling consumers."
Widmann succeeds Ashish Gandham, who left the GTR division earlier this year following his appointment as Managing Director, Suntory Global Spirits – Oceania. General Manager CoE GTR and MEA Ashish Sagar will continue to lead the business on an interim basis until Widmann joins in September.
"I would also like to thank Ashish Sagar for his outstanding leadership during this transition," added Robert. "Ashish has led the business with real energy, commitment and care, ensuring continuity for our people, our customers and our partners. I'm grateful for everything he has done to maintain the strong momentum in GTR and for his continued support as we welcome Vanessa to the business."
About Suntory Global Spirits
As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium American whiskeys, including Jim Beam® and Maker's Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki® and Hibiki®; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as El Tesoro® and Hornitos® tequilas and Roku® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Bartender Created Cocktails.
A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society, and aims to have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com and www.drinksmart.com.
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