CEO, Consumer Goods expert, Coach, Mentor, Senior Advisor
+61 413 753 300
Paul.Barnett@LeadersOnDemand.com
Paul is a CEO whose career that has taken him outside Australia and into Asia and Europe. He has a Sales and Marketing background in the Consumer Goods and Healthcare sector underpinned with experience in organization-wide Transformation. He has strong emotional intelligence and has a track record of succeeding in differing cultures and channels.
Career History
Paul started his professional journey as a Graduate at Nestle in Melbourne, a role that eventually took him to Sydney where managed Woolworths during the centralization of their operations. He then transitioned into the healthcare sector with Johnson & Johnson, progressing to the role of Asia Pacific Sales Director based in Singapore. This role afforded him valuable experience in the dynamic markets of China, India, and Southeast Asia.
His passion for travel and an appreciation for cultural diversity, led him to Europe where he joined SABMiller, the world's second-largest brewer, they would eventually be taken by Anheuser-Busch in the fourth-largest corporate merger in history at that time. After the merger, the business was eventually acquired by Asahi, and Paul became a key member of the European Executive Team. In this capacity, he led operations in countries as diverse as Germany, Spain, Romania, and the Nordic nations; as well as setting up their Transformation team.
After a 16-year journey as an expatriate, Paul decided to return to his homeland in 2023. Now, he channels his international experience and expertise towards assisting Australian leaders and companies in thriving both domestically and on the global stage.
Leadership Highlights
- Leadership of Asahi Romania’s 1700+ employees to deliver, Revenue growth above market and Market share growth through the pandemic. Increases in staff engagement in 3 of the top 5 areas as measured by Towers Watson.
- Created, staffed, and delivered the transformational strategy for Asahi Europe. This included the delivery of the required organisational change, the commissioning of key projects and stakeholder alignment.
- Leadership of the Asahi International division servicing 20 core countries to revenue, +EBITA and NWC growth ahead of market and Parent company. Including establishing new joint ventures and entering new countries.
- Delivered staff engagement scores ranked #3 out of 60 markets worldwide for SABMiller, while at the same time growing marketing share 200bp. Previously the business had experienced 7 consecutive years of decline in share and EBITA.
- Successfully led a Commercial team of >550 people to deliver budget and share growth through a SAP upgrade involving front, middle and back office implementation.
- Successful upgrade to Route to Market strategy due to changes in tax and smoking regulations that brew gross margin and share despite large number of outlets closing.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Economics, Post Graduate certificate in FMCG Management, Diploma in Coaching
Sectors
Consumer Goods, Brewing, Healthcare
Functions
Executive Leadership, General Management, Commercial, Business Development, Strategy, Transformation, Advisory
Situations
Execution delivery, Transformations, Transitions, Turnarounds
Favourite quotes
“80% today is better than 100% tomorrow.” Paolo Lanzarotti
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” Viktor Frankl
“I joined Leaders on Demand...
... I have worked as an expat for the last 16 years across Asia and Europe. In 2023 we returned home, and now have the opportunity to introduce our children to Australia. Leaders on Demand allows me to utilise the skills and experiences I have picked up on my journey to help Australian leaders and companies thrive here and internationally.”
“When I'm not at work...
... I host the Great Coaches: Leadership and Life podcast, I try to visit the gym regularly and do what I can to help around the house!”