Nathan James
Chief Marketing Officer
Results-driven commercial & marketing leader with 20 years of experience across FMCG, Retail, Liquor, and OTC categories.
Summary
Nathan James is a results-driven leader with a 20-year track record in commercial strategy, brand and marketing excellence, and operational leadership across various industries. He excels in category expansion, brand disruption, P&L management, pricing architecture, and omnichannel messaging. Nathan has experience in digital transformation, consumer and market insight, strategic partnerships, and route-to-market strategies. His career highlights include roles at The Ben Buckler Whisky Company, William Grant & Sons, Stuart Alexander & Co, Campos Coffee, KFC UK & Ireland, McDonald’s ANZ, and Johnson & Johnson. Nathan holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney and has received several awards for his outstanding contributions in marketing and commercial leadership.
Experience
The Ben Buckler Whisky Company
General Manager (Consultancy) / Partner (2025 - current)
Strategically scaling a disruptive Australian Single Malt brand through commercial architecture, capital acquisition, and regional expansion. Led initiatives in revenue generation, market positioning, strategic partnerships, brand & creative strategy, distribution growth, and trade excellence.
William Grant & Sons
Head of White Spirits Marketing & Innovation ANZ (2020 - 2025)
Orchestrated marketing and innovation strategy for luxury spirits portfolio, focusing on market share & growth, innovation leadership, brand expansion, cultural partnerships, luxury portfolio management, omnichannel strategy, and commercial & planning excellence.
Stuart Alexander & Co
Head of Food & Beverage / Marketing Manager (2018 - 2020)
Led commercial and marketing strategy for premium food and beverage distribution portfolio, focusing on portfolio performance, commercial strategy, innovation & launch, revenue optimization, retailer alignment, strategic partnerships, and market entry.
Campos Coffee
Head of Marketing (2015 - 2018)
Led brand, marketing, and digital transformation to accelerate revenue growth, expand domestically and internationally, and drive strategic revenue growth, global market expansion, digital ecosystem transformation, brand identity, commercial innovation, and strategic partnerships.
KFC UK & Ireland
Marketing Manager / Senior Brand Manager (2011 - 2015)
Led digital transformation and youth growth strategy, achieving significant milestones in digital scaling, mobile innovation, viral engagement, award-winning creativity, crisis leadership, and global best practice development.
McDonald’s Australia & New Zealand
Brand Manager (2008 - 2011)
Led strategy and execution for McDonald’s ANZ's core daypart portfolios, delivering record-breaking campaigns, transaction growth, market share gains, operational innovation, and commercial transformation.
Johnson & Johnson
Brand Manager / Graduate (2003 - 2008)
Accelerated market share and generated revenue through strategic launches of flagship brands, digital innovation, financial & agency management, and strategic sponsorships.