By James Atkinson
Outgoing Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) group managing director Terry Davis yesterday put an end to widespread industry speculation putting him in the frame for Treasury Wine Estates’ vacant CEO position.
In recent weeks, various industry sources close to TWE believed Davis was firming for the embattled winemaker’s top job, which is the subject of a worldwide search by executive recruitment firm Spencer Stuart.
But Davis himself yesterday knocked that theory on the head, telling analysts at CCA’s full-year results presentation that he was in “no active discussions to be a CEO of any public company”.
He reportedly said that if he wanted to remain in a CEO position he would have stayed in his current role at CCA.
Davis did however confirm he had been offered a number of board and advisory roles, but said he would wait until he leaves CCA on March 3 before making any decisions.
Fellow CCA senior executive Warwick White is also leaving (see below) and has been linked with the TWE position in recent days.
New CCA boss rings changes
Also yesterday, Coca-Cola Amatil announced that managing director – Australasia, Warwick White, will leave the business under a new reporting structure implemented by incoming group managing director, Alison Watkins, who replaces Davis.
CCA said Watkins, in conjunction with White, had completed a review of the Australasian business management structure and decided to simplify it.
As a result, John Murphy, managing director Australian Beverages, Barry O'Connell, managing director New Zealand & Fiji and Peter Kelly, managing director SPC Ardmona, who currently report to Warwick, will report directly to Watkins.
“The position of managing director Australasia will not be replaced and Warwick White will leave the business,” CCA said.
“These changes will be effective as of 3 March, the date of Alison Watkins' commencement, and Warwick will leave CCA on June 30.”
Chairman David Gonski said: “Warwick has made a significant and lasting contribution to the business. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Warwick for his valuable service over almost 12 years and to wish him well for the future.”
Gonski expressed confidence that the leadership transition will be accomplished in an orderly way.
"The team looks forward to Alison's formal commencement and I am pleased Terry Davis and Warwick White will be available to support her induction over the next few months," he said.