Starbucks Coffee Company has promoted Belinda Wong from President to Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks China.
From her new role, she will oversee Starbucks plans to double its scale to operate 5,000 stores in China by 2021. She will continue to report to John Culver, group president, Starbucks Global Retail.
Wong has been instrumental in Starbucks unprecedented growth in China – from 400 stores in 2011 to over 2,300 stores today.
In September 2016, she was among 50 recipients, who were presented the Magnolia Award by the Shanghai Municipal Government in appreciation of her outstanding contributions and support of Shanghai’s development.
Wong was also listed as one of the 50 people shaping the future of the U.S. and China relationship by Foreign Policy, and the Top 100 Chinese Business Women by Forbes China in 2015.
Since 2012, she has been ranked one of the top 25 on Fortune China’s prestigious annual list of China’s most influential businesswomen.
Leo Tsoi, also promoted
Leo Tsoi, who most recently has served as Starbucks China’s Vice President of Store Development and Design, has also been promoted. He takes on the Chief Operating Officer in Starbucks China.
Since joining the company in 2012, Tsoi has led several key areas of the business as chief marketing officer and vp, North China
Opening of the first Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Shanghai by 2017
Belinda Wong joined Starbucks in January 2000 and has held a number of leadership roles across the Starbucks China and Asia Pacific region.
In her new position, she will focus on the overall long-term growth strategy and lead the innovation pipeline for Starbucks China. She will be responsible for key areas, including the vast digital and e-commerce opportunities across the market and overseeing the opening of the first international Starbucks Reserve™ Roastery in Shanghai in 2017.
As president of Starbucks China, Wong led the evolution of the in this Asian country with the opening of four unique flagship stores which put the coffee passion and craftsmanship of baristas at the forefront of the customer experience.
Over the past five years, Starbucks also launched several initiatives to elevate the Starbucks partner experience. Partner initiatives include a housing allowance subsidy for full-time baristas and shift supervisors, ongoing training and development opportunities through the Starbucks China University program and the company’s first-ever Partner Family Forums which showcased Starbucks deep culture and values to parents of Starbucks partners so they could learn about the company.
Image over the headline.- Belinda Wong, chief executive officer, Starbucks China (Photo: Business Wire)
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