sumen rannie soda stream

SodaStream has created a commercial director position as part of ambitious UK growth plans designed to replicate its success in other European countries.

The soft drinks business has promoted Sumen Rannie to the role following her “very successful” stint as head of sales, which she took up in April last year. She reports directly to the president of SodaStream Europe, Henner Rinsche.

Taking up the position with immediate effect, Rannie would help “propel the UK market forward in 2016 and beyond” said Rinsche.

Drawing from her “vast industry knowledge” gained from working for major fmcg companies including Coca-Cola and Scottish & Newcastle, Rinsche said SodaStream was confident Rannie’s “excellent leadership skills” would help the business replicate the success it had achieved in Germany and Austria. “SodaStream UK successfully grew its year-on-year revenues in the last three years, and we expect to sustain this consecutive growth and will look to Germany and Austria as a benchmark for sales, with these markets exceeding one million units in 2015,” said Rannie.

The appointment follows SodaStream’s return to the small screen last week for the first time in four years as part of a £2m push. The seven-month campaign was launched in the UK following “significant success” in other parts of Europe. Rannie said the TV investment would catapult the “brand of yesteryear into the 21st century” and had already opened up conversations with new retailers.