After nearly 15 years and a technology transformation that reshaped the business from the inside out, Lion's group technology and digital transformation director Ram Kalyanasundaram is set to walk out the door at the end of next month.
The departure comes as the beverage maker restructures its technology leadership, consolidating what were two separate senior roles into one. Robb Simpson, currently the group digital and data director, will take on technology as well, becoming Lion's single point of accountability across digital, data, AI, and technology operations.
In a statement, Lion said it is "moving to a single digital and technology leader, bringing digital, data, AI, and technology together under one aligned strategy." The company added that it is now focused on "bringing technology and business strategy closer together and getting more value from the technology and data we've invested in."
Kalyanasundaram's role, which was created only last year, effectively functioned as a chief information officer position, covering the full scope of Lion's technology operations. Before that, he held a range of roles across the company's SAP systems and broader application estate.
The record he leaves behind is substantial. During his tenure, Lion retired more than 500 legacy applications, shifted to a cloud-first strategy, and introduced generative AI into its IT support operations. The company also built out a self-service portal and mobile app giving staff access to people and culture, IT, finance, and risk functions from a single interface.
Late last year, Lion moved further in that direction by outsourcing additional cloud migration, application development, and cyber security work to Tata Consulting Services, a deal that signalled the company's intent to lean on external expertise as it scales its technology ambitions.
Simpson paid tribute to his outgoing colleague in measured terms. Kalyanasundaram, he said, "laid the foundations for Lion to continue to innovate and evolve our digital and technology capabilities to service our customers better and ensure seamless delivery across the business." Simpson expressed confidence that the function remains on solid ground heading into the transition.
Kalyanasundaram, for his part, said he was leaving "with mixed emotions" but backed both Simpson and the company's direction. That kind of gracious exit, after 15 years and a significant technology overhaul, suggests a genuine alignment of values rather than a messy departure.
The structural logic behind the consolidation is straightforward enough. As digital transformation matures from a discrete initiative into an ongoing operational reality, many organisations find the old separation between technology leadership and digital strategy starts to create friction rather than clarity. Folding the two under one executive can sharpen accountability and reduce the coordination overhead that comes with parallel leadership tracks.
Whether Simpson can sustain the momentum Kalyanasundaram built, while also absorbing a broader remit, remains the open question. Merging roles is a sensible efficiency play in theory; in practice, it concentrates risk as much as it concentrates authority. Lion will be hoping the foundations laid over the past 15 years are solid enough to hold.