MAINBOARD-LISTED Thai Beverage (ThaiBev) announced on Wednesday (Jan 10) key leadership changes to its organisational structure “to enhance operational synergies” and “ensure sustainable business growth”.

Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, ThaiBev’s current director, president and chief executive, will be redesignated as director and group CEO, the beverage maker said in a bourse filing.

Kosit Suksingha and Rapakon Thongtheppairot – who are currently executive vice presidents – will be appointed as presidents and group chief operating officers of ThaiBev. Both will report to Sirivadhanabhakdi.

In his new role, Suksingha will be overseeing the group’s operations within Thailand, succeeding Ueychai Tantha-Obhas. This is on top of Suksingha’s current roles as chief non-alcoholic beverages product group, chief non-alcoholic beverage business (Thailand), chief digital and technology.

Meanwhile, Thongtheppairot will oversee the group’s international operations outside of Thailand, in addition to his current roles as group chief financial officer and chief spirit product group.

Sithichai Chaikriangkrai and Dr Pisanu Vichiensanth are stepping down from their roles as chief investment officer and chief production technology and engineering respectively. They have been appointed vice chairmen of the executive committee, together with Tantha-Obhas.

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Both Suksingha and Thongtheppairot will remain as members of the executive committee.

The changes will be effective from Jun 27, 2024 onwards. The group will continue to be helmed by Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, who remains as chairman of the board of directors and executive chairman of ThaiBev.

ThaiBev attributed the organisational changes to a number of reasons. They include creating career opportunities for professional executives “to ensure sustainable business growth,” as well as to continue strengthening its Thailand operations, which began in 2019, it said.

In addition, the changes are intended to “enhance operational synergies and effectiveness” in the group’s core markets of Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Singapore and complement the structure of its product group for greater competitiveness.

The group also hopes to expedite business development and investment in new markets to support growth of the group’s regional brand portfolio.

Shares of ThaiBev closed at S$0.535, down S$0.005 or 0.9 per cent, on Wednesday before the announcement.