FAST COMPANY: How do you create a culture of innovation?
PETER SWINBURN: I think it's the same as any culture. You've gotta create the right environment, and for me that falls into I guess two categories. First of all you've got to have strong processes, otherwise cultural innovation just doesn't happen, it's the same as anything else you do in a business. But also you've got to reward people. People have to be rewarded both tangibly and intangibly. And that's through things like salary and through basically saying things like "well done, good job."
How do you create a culture of innovation?
Mr. Swinburn has been in the global beer industry for more than 34 years with an expertise in international market expansion, successfully establishing a worldwide presence for Molson Coors by growing brands and introducing Coors Light into several emerging markets, including Mexico and Asia.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Swinburn served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Coors Brewing Company, former U.S. subsidiary of Molson Coors Brewing Company. From 2005 to 2007, he was CEO of Coors Brewers Limited, the U.K. arm of Molson Coors, based in Burton-on-Trent, England. During this period, he was responsible for all of the company's business in the UK, Europe and Asia.
Mr. Swinburn also served as the President of Coors Brewing Worldwide based in Golden, Colo., where he was responsible for international sales and operations and spearheaded the company's focus on global marketing opportunities and development of emerging markets. He also served as chairman of Tradeteam, a logistics company jointly owned by Coors Brewers and DHL; and a Director of Grolsch UK, a joint venture between Coors Brewers and Grolsch.
Mr. Swinburn has been a board member of the British Beer and Pub Association and industry chairman of The Portman Group, a U.K. trade organization promoting alcohol responsibility. Swinburn graduated from the University of Wales in 1974 with a BSc Honours in Economics.
