Fink, a member of Constellation Brands’ board, comes with high-level experience in the beverage alcohol industry, including nine-years in senior leadership roles with Suntory Global Spirits.
Most recently, however, he has served as CEO at Fortune Brands Innovations since January 2020 (the company is a global home, security and digital products company).
Constellation Brands champions his track record in leading a public, multi-category business: as well as his visionary leadership with a proven ability to build new growth platforms and strong premium lifestyle brands.
Global beer volumes are under pressure: with consumers drinking less in general but also turning to other innovations such as canned cocktails.
Constellation Brands’ beer portfolio has managed to maintain its hold in a difficult environment: outperforming both the US beer category and overall alcohol category with brands such as Corona, Modelo Especial and Pacifico.
However, Constellation Brands still predicts net sales decline of 2% - 4% for the portfolio in FY2026, mirroring the trajectory seen by other major brewers.
The wine and spirits category, however, is a more challenging category: net sales declined 51% in the latest quarter (Oct-Dec 2025) as the company sold the Svedka vodka brand to Sazerac and divested a number of wine brands.
Constellation Brands is in the process of refocusing its portfolio on higher end brands: led by The Prisoner Wine Company, Robert Mondavi Winery, Kim Crawford, Casa Noble Tequila and High West Whiskey.
Big changes at Constellation?
Fink’s experience with Suntory included responsibilities as President, Asia Pacific and South America, and Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer.
He has been on the board of Rochester, NY headquartered Constellation Brands since 2021.
“Given Fink’s experience on the board, we do not expect this transition to lead to a major change in strategic direction,” say analysts from TD Cowen in a note.
They do, meanwhile, note that Fink oversaw 12 major acquisitions since joining Fortune Brands in 2015, including significant transformation deals in 2023 as Fink refocused the home and security business around technology and innovation.
Modelo Especial success
Bill Newlands joined Constellation Brands in 2015 and has served as the company’s president and CEO since 2019.
Under his leadership, Modelo Especial has become the #1 selling beer in US dollar sales.
Newlands saw the company through the pandemic; and also revamped the company’s wine and spirits portfolio towards higher end, higher margin brands.
“Under Bill’s direction, we’ve established a strong leadership team and a portfolio of iconic brands that are outperforming the market, and a disciplined approach to financial management and capital allocation,” said Chris Baldwin, chairman of the board.
“Thanks to these efforts, Constellation Brands has a solid foundation from which to continue building upon.”
The leadership transition will take place on April 13: with Newlands to serve as a strategic advisor to ensure a smooth handover.
