WHO WE ARE
ROGER CHAN
FOUNDER
HONG KONG / KOREA
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Roger Chan was born in London, UK, and grew up in Hong Kong. After attending University in the US he moved to UK, London to begin his career. Roger started in the finance and consulting industry helping companies with strategy, market entry, and business development, primarily with a focus on Greater China. Roger left a global & regional position at Deloitte in 2008 to take over METAGROUP. During this time he has co-founded and is an investor in other entrepreneurial F&B and lifestyle ventures and concepts. Roger is currently the Chairman of METAGROUP, which has several businesses including METABEV, an international brand management & distribution company established in 1989 with offices in Hong Kong & Macau, Korea, China and Japan; Hindsight Creative, a creative digital marketing and e-commerce agency specializing in the beverage business (offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul); and Eclipse Beverages, an export advisory and business development company. He is the founder of the F&B RUN CLUB, an industry led charity initiative. Roger has over 16 years’ experience in the drinks business.
YOSHIHIKO SUGIMOTO
ADVISORY PARTNER
JAPAN
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Yoshihiko Sugimoto started his career as a copywriter and ran as a Creative Director for a leading Japanese agency for over 13 years. Amongst others, this included branding and direction of the most famous whisky, sake and beer in Japan. Sugimoto is currently the President of Sugiken, founded in 1972, which provides consulting services including marketing and business strategy planning. Sugiken’s purpose is to give creative direction and guidance on product development for export and Duty Free. In 2018, Sugimoto started working with METABEV to curate, connect and build a Japanese craft spirits collection to represent across Asia. In 2019 and 2020 Sugimoto was proudly nominated by a Japanese external trade and PR organization belonging to the Japanese Government for promotional strategies for Sake in Hong Kong and China. Sugimoto has extensive experience and networks across Asia Pacific, particularly in Japan and China. Furthermore, he is a license holder of both exporting and selling alcoholic beverages in Japan.
ADAM GREEN
EXPORT DIRECTOR
HONG KONG
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Adam Green was brought up in the UK before working and studying in South Africa and China. Adam’s engagement with APAC region started at university where he studied Chinese language and history. After some time working in the voluntary sector Adam started his career in the beverage industry with the leading London merchants Jeroboams and Roberson Wine. Here Adam held a range of positions culminating in 5 years as Business Development Director and running sales and marketing teams across the on, off, multiples and ecommerce channels. During this time Adam also graduated from the KEDGE Wine and Spirits MBA program – the only triple crown accredited, beverage industry focused MBA in Europe. Adam moved to Hong Kong to allow him to combine his beverage industry experience with his regional expertise in APAC. Adam moved into regional management via 3½ years working for KWV leading the growth of their spirits and wine portfolio across APAC. This saw the establishment of a JV RTM structure in China which drove a 4x increase in market volumes in two years and the development of their shooter brand Sour Monkey into a 15k case per year brand in Australia. Adam joins the Eclipse team from Fratelli Branca where he was the APAC Regional Director managing their iconic brands in region.
CARL PLINSTON
ADVISORY PARTNER
UNITED KINGDOM
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Carl Plinston grew up and studied in the UK. He started his career in the soft drinks market working for SHS Drinks as part of a new sales team launching Bottlegreen tonic water into the competitive UK On-trade market. After this initial grounding in the UK F&B industry Carl made a strategic move into the premium spirits market joining William Grant & Sons, managing a varied account base of influential cocktail bars, restaurants and leading group operators in London. Prior to relocation to Asia, Carl joined Asahi UK, taking on an increased responsibility through management of national hotel chains. Carl made the decision to move to Hong Kong in 2018 with the aim of experiencing a new culture and exciting market as a part of the METABEV sales function. Utilizing and adapting his experience gained in the UK Carl quickly progressed to Sales Strategy Director managing the team along with core principal relationships. Carl has since now relocated back to UK, founding a field-based sales agency, whilst still acting as an advisory partner for Eclipse Beverages.
FEDERICO BOGNA
SENIOR ADVISORY CONSULTANT
HONG KONG
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Federico Bogna from Italy, has been living and working in Asia for the past 17 years, starting in with an internship in Beijing in 2004, followed by a three years experience in Bangkok with the Thai- Italian Chamber of Commerce and finally moving to Hong Kong in 2008 where he is currently based. He joined SABMiller as Peroni Brand Ambassador for Hong Kong and Singapore in 2012 for then take on a regional role covering Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Taiwan for all SABMiller brands. Form November 2016 he is the Regional Markets Development Manager for Asia Pacific at Asahi Premium Brands first then Asahi International Asia from February 2020. Federico’s is currently heading business development in Asia Pacific for Chateau Highball (super premium pre-mixed highball served in champagne bottles) and Sliabh Liag Distillers (top Irish Whiskey and Gin distillery out of Donegal in north west of Ireland), along with ongoing advisory for other international companies. Focus though out the career has been in building brand awareness and ensuring brand equity growth, specifically on the launch of new brands in Asia taking them from inception to success in key markets across the region.
GEORGE MAXWELL
ADVISORY PARTNER
UNITED KINGDOM
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George Maxwell was brought up and educated in the UK having been born into one of the UK’s oldest distilling families. Following qualifying as an accountant in 2007, George returned to the distilling fold working in Business Strategy and Development for William Grant & Sons. Having worked on the successful deals to acquire Tullamore Dew, Hudson Baby Bourbon, and Milagro Tequila George moved to Shanghai to become Head of Strategy for Asia Pacific for WG&S working on route to market solutions, commercial excellence and executive support. Following a spell as Marketing Director for WG&S Korea George joined Proximo spirits to head up its North Asian business in 2016, based out of Hong Kong. This encompassed management of all aspects of the business from Operations through to commercial and marketing delivery in the largest 3rd party region outside the Americas. George returned to Thames Distillers, his family distillery in London at the end of 2020, where he is working on the development of new gins and low and no alcohol products. George joined Eclipse Beverages as an Advisory Partner in 2021.
AMANDA LAM
BRAND MANAGER
HONG KONG
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Amanda Lam was born and raised in Hong Kong. She moved to Palo Alto for her Bachelor's degree and then pursued her Master's degree in Oestrich-Winkel, Germany. While living in Germany, Amanda worked as Junior Commercial Manager for Eckes-Granini, the leading supplier of fruit juices and fruit beverages in Europe. After living seven years abroad, Amanda joined METABEV in a Business Development role, gaining experience in a sales function, before moving to Eclipse Beverages as a brand manager.
KILLIAN O’SULLIVAN
SENIOR ADVISORY CONSULTANT
UNITED KINGDOM
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Killian O’Sullivan is an Irish native and started his career in sales before moving on to procurement with Irish headquartered drinks group C&C after university. He then joined a UK AIM listed company to lead a restructure post floatation & subsequently founded a small marketing company in Ireland which focussed on the drinks industry. In 2011, Killian joined the global marketing department of Scottish drinks group William Grant & Sons where he led marketing procurement globally. He was recruited as Chief Executive of The London Distillery Company in late 2017 & also joined the board of a Chinese spirits distributor. His exposure to key growth regions such as the US, China & India has led him to become a consultant and advisor to brands in Hong Kong, Mexico, Germany & Scotland, as well as acting as Commercial Director for The Connacht Whiskey Company in Ireland. His experience encompasses all key areas of the drinks industry, including marketing, route to market, commercial, operations & logistics. Killian joined Eclipse Beverages in early 2023.
