Comvita expands leadership team

Ben Shaw.

Bay of Plenty-based global honey and health products company Comvita has announced two promotions which will expand its current leadership team.

Simon Pothecary.

Ben Shaw has been named chief marketing officer.

He joined Comvita last year as general manager category from Asahi Premium Beverages where he was a senior category manager for the beer and cider portfolios.

At Asahi he launched a number of new brands and worked with multiple international brand owners.

Prior to that he was the marketing manager for Les Mills International, and held a number of marketing roles at DS Breweries.

Chief executive Scott Coulter said Mr Shaw had responsibility for Comvita's global marketing strategy, planning and execution for brand category and product, and regulatory affairs.

"His role will ensure a high degree of coordination across our businesses and markets and deliver a consistent brand experience."

Simon Pothecary has been promoted to chief sales officer.

Mr Pothecary joined Comvita in 2006 as general manager UK, Europe, and the Middle East before becoming general manager of Australia in 2014.

His responsibilities have recently been expanded to include domestic NZ, UK and the US.

Prior to Comvita, he was a marketing director for consumer healthcare at GlaxoSmithKline and previously held global and local marketing roles at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.

Mr Coulter said Mr Pothecary would develop lead and implement global sales strategies, in-market promotions and communications.