SURESH MENON JOINS SAZERAC-JOHN DISTILLERIES TO LEAD CORPORATE ADVOCACY AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Veteran policy and regulatory expert Suresh Menon has joined the Sazerac Company-John Distilleries combine as Advisor – Corporate Advocacy and Regulatory Affairs. Bringing nearly three decades of experience in taxation, excise policy and regulatory affairs, he will help build a national corporate affairs function and support the company’s growth ambitions in India.

The Sazerac Company-John Distilleries combine has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Suresh Menon as Advisor – Corporate Advocacy and Regulatory Affairs, a move that underlines the company’s focus on navigating India’s evolving regulatory landscape while accelerating its expansion plans across the country.

In his new role, Menon will be responsible for helping establish a national Corporate Affairs team and spearheading policy advocacy initiatives that support the organisation’s strategic growth objectives. His appointment comes at a time when India’s alcoholic beverages industry is witnessing significant regulatory shifts, making policy engagement and government relations increasingly important for business operations and long-term market development.

Menon announced the move following his departure from the International Spirits & Wines Association of India (ISWAI), where he spent nearly six years in key leadership positions. He joined the industry body in November 2020 and went on to serve as Secretary General before taking on the role of Advisor – Tax & Regulatory Affairs.

During his tenure at ISWAI, Menon played a prominent role in addressing issues related to taxation, regulatory compliance and policy frameworks affecting the spirits and wines sector. His work involved engaging with the complexities of India’s state-driven excise ecosystem, a system often regarded as one of the most challenging operating environments for beverage alcohol companies.

His expertise spans areas such as excise duties, inter-state levies, sales tax and Goods and Services Tax (GST), alongside their broader implications for business performance, profitability and market access. This deep understanding of regulatory structures is expected to prove valuable for the Sazerac-John Distilleries combine as it seeks to strengthen its presence across diverse state markets.

Menon brings around 30 years of experience in the alcoholic beverages industry, making him one of the sector’s most seasoned professionals in taxation and regulatory affairs. Prior to joining ISWAI, he spent nearly three decades with the UB Group and United Spirits Limited (USL), where he held several senior leadership roles spanning finance, planning, taxation and regulatory affairs.

His long-standing industry experience has given him a comprehensive understanding of both corporate and policy dimensions of the business, from commercial strategy and financial planning to regulatory engagement and advocacy. Such expertise is increasingly sought after as companies balance growth ambitions with evolving compliance requirements and shifting taxation policies.

Industry observers view the appointment as a strategic addition to the Sazerac-John Distilleries combine’s leadership structure. With India remaining one of the world’s most dynamic alcoholic beverages markets, companies are placing greater emphasis on building robust corporate affairs capabilities, fostering constructive dialogue with policymakers and addressing regulatory challenges through informed advocacy.

For Menon, the new role marks the next chapter in a distinguished career that has been closely intertwined with the development of India’s alcoholic beverages sector. For the Sazerac-John Distilleries combine, his appointment signals a commitment to strengthening policy engagement and regulatory preparedness as the company pursues its growth agenda in one of its most important markets.