Suntory Beverage & Food Europe (SBFE), a regional division of the leading global drink company Suntory Group, is kicking off April with a major leadership move, announcing Pauline Varga as its new Chief Marketing Officer.
Joining the Executive Committee, Pauline will take the reins of SBFE’s marketing strategy across its diverse portfolio—focusing on accelerating brand growth, driving innovation and keeping consumers firmly at the heart of everything the business does.
Pauline is no stranger to Suntory. Since joining in 2018 as Marketing Director for France, she has played a key role in reinvigorating heritage brands and breathing new life into Oasis through sharp, insight-led campaigns. Over the past eight years, she’s built an impressive track record across Europe and international markets—working on household names like Schweppes and Orangina, and leading launches into new categories, including the introduction of Suntory -196 in the UK and Ireland.
Before Suntory, Pauline spent over 15 years at Danone, gaining global experience across France, Canada, Spain, and the US. Her work spanned some of the world’s best-known brands, including Activia and Danette, shaping her well-rounded approach to marketing, innovation, and transformation.
Known for her collaborative leadership style and strong consumer-first mindset, Pauline is passionate about building high-performing teams and creating brands that resonate in people’s everyday lives. She’s a strong advocate of Suntory’s “Seikatsusha” philosophy—putting real people, their needs and their aspirations at the centre of every decision.
Outside of work, Pauline is a mother of two and an avid traveller —something that naturally feeds into her global marketing outlook.
“I’m delighted to take on this role at a time when marketing has such an important role to play in shaping innovation and relevance,” she said. “SBFE has a strong portfolio of iconic brands and talented teams, and I’m excited to work together to keep building brands that people genuinely love — by staying close to consumers, encouraging creativity and embracing the Seikatsusha mindset of putting people and their lives at the heart of everything we do.”
“Pauline’s appointment reflects our ambition to continue strengthening our brands and accelerating consumer‑led growth across the 60 markets where we sell our brands,” added Pierre Decroix, CEO. “Her deep marketing expertise, international experience and strong leadership will be key as we sharpen our focus on innovation and continue delivering great‑tasting drinks that people enjoy and love.”