Tim Ford. Image courtesy TWE

Treasury Wine Estates has announced Sam Fischer, the current CEO of Lion, as its new chief executive officer and managing director, effective from 27 October 2025.

Tim Ford has been CEO and managing director of TWE for the past five years, with a total of 14 years at the company.

TWE said in a release to the ASX that succession planning was conducted by Ford and the board for “an extended period of time”, which eventually concluded with Fischer’s appointment.

Fischer, who is presently still the CEO at Lion—an alcoholic beverage company owned by the Kirin Group—has been with Lion for three years.

TWE chairman John Mullen said he was “thrilled” to welcome Fischer as Ford’s successor.

“With over 30 years of global leadership experience, Sam brings proven CEO credentials, exceptional strategic acumen, and deep expertise in alcohol beverages, consumer goods and luxury brand building, accompanied by a strong track record of driving business growth,” said Mullen.

“Having assessed a highly competitive field of candidates, the board and I firmly believe that Sam is the right person to lead TWE into its next era of growth and performance.”

Prior to his role at Lion, Fischer worked at Diageo, another international alcoholic beverage company, where he spent 15 years and held a number of positions including president of Asia Pacific and global travel and serving on the Global Diageo Executive Committee.

“During this time, Mr Fischer led the establishment and expansion of numerous luxury brands across Diageo’s key markets, including seven years leading Diageo’s Greater China and Asia Pacific region, where he transformed the business and achieved exceptional growth,” said TWE. “Earlier in his career, Mr Fischer spent 15 years in consumer goods with Colgate Palmolive, encompassing Sales and General Management leadership roles in markets across Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.

“Since 2019, Mr Fischer has been a non-executive director with the global luxury goods business, Burberry Group.”

Fischer said it was “a privilege” to join TWE, and expressed his enthusiasm at the appointment.

“I’ve long admired the business and it’s an honour to have been selected by the board to build on the excellent foundations to lead the next phase of TWE’s exciting evolution,” said Fischer.

Tim Ford will remain CEO and managing director until 30 September 2025. Commenting on his departure, Ford described his years at the helm of TWE as his proudest.

“Leading TWE over the past five years has without doubt been the highlight of my career,” said Ford. “I am immensely proud of all that our team has achieved, both during my tenure as CEO and across my broader career at TWE. I thank our team for all their dedication in building TWE into a global leader in luxury wine.

“It has been my absolute pleasure and privilege to lead TWE and I have full confidence in Sam and our talented team’s ability to build on our position of strength and take the company forward over the long-term, maximising the opportunities ahead.”

Chairman John Mullen recognised Ford’s impact on the company over his tenure.

“Tim has led TWE during a period of significant change and will be known for his courage in setting bold ambitions, leading to the delivery of significantly strengthened financial performance,” said Mullen.

“As CEO, Tim has stewarded the company through the pandemic, the application and removal of tariffs on Australian wine into China and the transformation of the business to its divisional operating model, led by Penfolds. Concurrently, Tim instigated the strategic portfolio shift to luxury wine which included the divestment of the US commercial wine business, and the acquisitions of the Frank Family Vineyards and DAOU luxury brands.

“TWE is a significantly stronger and more focused business as a result of Tim’s vision and leadership, and the company will benefit from his legacy for many years to come. He will be missed, and we sincerely thank Tim while wishing him every ongoing success,” said Mullen.

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