Nordic wine and spirits company Anora Group has appointed Kirsi Puntila as its new CEO, effective immediately.
Kirsi Puntila succeeds Jacek Pastuszka, who decided to step down from his position in October.
Puntila has been part of Anora and its predecessor, Altia, since 2014.
Her most recent role was senior vice president of Anora’s spirits business, which distils the Koskenkorva vodka.
Puntila, based in Stockholm, has also served as the spirits category director of Altia and as marketing director of Altia brands.
Before joining Anora, she held various international roles at Pernod Ricard companies, including global marketing manager for Absolut Flavors and Kahlua.
Anora board of directors chairperson Michael Holm Johansen said that Puntila is an “experienced executive in the beverage industry and a well-respected leader at Anora” and she will “ensure continuity in our short-term priorities on improving profitability and the balance sheet”.
In addition to her new role, Puntila will continue leading the spirits segment until a successor is appointed, said the company, which was formed through the merger of Altia and Arcus in September 2021.
Puntila said: “Our product portfolio consists of the greatest Nordic wine and spirits brands, the bedrock of our future success, while also being a preferred choice for many renowned international partner brands in the Nordics and the Baltics.”
Anora’s full-year 2024 comparable EBITDA was €68.9m ($73.78m), aligning with its October guidance.
The Falling Feather wines producer recorded net sales of €692m for the year, marking a decline from the previous year’s €726.5m.
Sales in the wine and spirits segment declined, driven by a drop in volume.
Meanwhile, the industrial segment experienced a downturn in net sales, primarily due to reduced selling prices linked to falling grain prices, along with a decrease in production output, Anora said.
The company is also expanding in the Baltics with a commercial arm in Lithuania, expected to be operational in the first half of 2025.
This unit will manage sales and marketing for selected Anora brands.
