The Australian wine giant Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has a new CEO. As the company announced on May 16, 2025, Sam Fischer succeeds Tim Ford. The appointment was preceded by an extensive global search and decision-making process by the Board, with the participation of outgoing CEO Tim Ford.
"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 Chairman John Mullen. Fischer currently serves as CEO of the international beverage group 'Lion' (part of the Kirin Group). For 15 years, he worked in various leadership positions at the spirits giant Diageo. He also has extensive experience in the cosmetics industry.
"To compensate Mr Fischer for incentives foregone with his previous employer," Fischer is to receive a sign-on payment of AUD 4m (approx. €2.29m / approx. $2.65m), as stated in the relevant stock exchange announcement.
The payment will include a cash component of AUD 750,000 (approx. €430,000) payable in January 2026, with the balance to be delivered as restricted stock, of which AUD 1.65m (approx. €0.94m) will vest in August 2026 and AUD 1.6m (approx. €0.91m) in August 2027 (meaning he will retain them even if he potentially leaves the company). TWE will seek shareholder approval for these payments and Fischer's remuneration package at the 2025 Annual General Meeting.
Tim Ford is leaving the company after a total of 14 years of service, the last 5 of which were as CEO of TWE. “Leading TWE over the past five years has without doubt been the highlight of my career. 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," said Ford. For a smooth transition, he will remain with the company as CEO until the end of September, before Sam Fischer is set to take over as CEO and MD (Managing Director) from October, the company states.
