Greg Hughes is President & CEO of Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits with 6,000 employees worldwide and iconic brands like Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Laphroaig, and Yamazaki Japanese whiskey.
Prior to his appointment as President & CEO in 2023, Hughes served as Chief Growth and Brands Officer, leading the company’s global brands organization and spearheading growth initiatives such as route to market excellence globally.
Hughes joined Beam Suntory in August 2015 as General Manager, U.S. (2015-2017), before assuming the role of General Manager, North America (2017-2018). Hughes also served as President of North America, leading the region that includes the US, Beam Suntory’s largest and most profitable market (2018-2022).
Prior to Beam Suntory, Hughes held roles of increasing responsibility at Procter & Gamble, Bel Brands USA and Kraft Foods, where he ultimately served as Vice President of Marketing for Kraft’s billion-dollar dressing and condiment portfolio.
Hughes holds an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and is a graduate of the University of Kansas. Hughes co-founded the non-profit Hands On Portland, was a member of the U.S. Peace Corps in Romania, and was selected as a 2008 Fellow for Leadership Greater Chicago and as a 2020 Daniel Burnham Fellow for Leadership Greater Chicago. Hughes is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and on the board of World Business Chicago and the board of Executives Club of Chicago.