Healthy Beverages APAC

Yuta Konishi has been with Kirin Holdings for over a decade, since he joined the group’s beer production arm Kirin Brewery back in 2012. He became a Product Development Specialist with Kirin Brewery in 2013, and was promoted to Assistant Brand Manager in 2021. He entered his current position as Senior Brand Manager in 2022 with Kirin Beverages, which is the arm of the group dedicated to non-alcoholic beverage products covering a wide range from teas to the firm’s signature iMUSE functional drink.

Dr Lesley Stevenson is currently Scientific & Regulatory Affairs Manager at Frucor Suntory. Lesley is an FMCG specialist in strategic innovation and R&D. She has had roles with Abbott Nutrition, Fonterra and GSK Nutrition. She has supported product launches with go-to-market communications, product registration dossiers and the commercialisation of science bringing it to life within a brand. Lesley completed her undergraduate degree and PhD in Edinburgh, Scotland and also has a Masters in Management from Southern Cross University in Australia.

Craig Houliston is a Regional Executive Director at NielsenIQ, who leads Asia Retail Measurement Insights. Craig started his career with Nielsen UK in 2008, though for the last 13 years he has been based in Asia. For 7 years, Craig was based in China where he led Nielsen’s relationship for some of the world’s biggest manufacturers and for the last 6 years he has focused on regional analytics and insights. Craig drives regional thought leadership and bringing breakthrough insights to the industry. Furthermore, he has a passion for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and is a Fellow of the National Volunteering and Philanthropy Centre’s Company of Good Fellowship. Craig has a Management degree from Aston University and has recently completed the Oxford University Artificial Intelligence Program. Currently based in Singapore.

Christian is the CEO & Co-Founder of Curated Culture. He has personally been active in Health and Wellness for over a decade. He studied his MBA at NUS where he met his cofounders and started Curated Culture in 2021, and prior to his MBA he spent his career in industrial 3D printing setting new standards of what was possible in manufacturing. Tapping on his experience working with innovative technologies, Christian is now applying his expertise to Foodtech in Health and Wellness, enabling people to live healthier and happier lives.

Rita Sellars is the founder and Director of pH Factor, which focuses on Product Development, Training & Education in the Personal Care. Her background in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Formulation Science, Teaching and Management has allowed her to be a recognised and Science accredited cosmetic development chemist, industry expert and voice, and be able to establish a focused career around formulations, ingredient technology, Education and manufacturing for almost 25 years. She is the development creator behind many exclusive brands. Her focus on Health & Wellness and her new research in the Microbiome of the skin and gut are what have brought her to establish the brand Tummy Buddies – Australia’s first range of Gut and Digestive wellness drinks for children through symbiotic technology.

Pearly is the editor of FoodNavigator-Asia. She manages the publication’s website, social media, daily email newsletters, editor’s spotlight newsletters and all the news coverage that goes with it. Previously, she has also managed and/or written for a number of B2B/trade titles across the F&B, science, biotechnology and healthcare industries.