Ardagh Glass Packaging has announced a significant leadership reshuffle, appointing Alexander Kuzan as Chief Executive Officer for AGP-Europe and expanding Timur Colak’s responsibilities to Chief Commercial Officer for the global glass packaging business. The changes come as the company seeks to strengthen regional autonomy, improve commercial discipline and position itself for long-term growth in a competitive global market.

Kuzan joins Ardagh Glass Packaging Europe after serving as Vice President and General Manager of the Can division in Europe at Novelis since 2017. In that role, he was responsible for developing and implementing the company’s beverage and food packaging strategy across the region. His background combines packaging market experience, operational leadership and financial expertise, supported by a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Zurich and Chartered Financial Analyst credentials.

Leadership changes in glass packaging are increasingly tied to market agility, commercial value creation and the ability to support customers through sustainability-driven change.

His appointment comes at a transformational moment for AGP. Glass packaging producers are navigating shifting demand patterns, energy and cost pressures, circularity expectations and evolving customer requirements across beverage, food and premium consumer goods markets. In this environment, regional leadership with strong commercial and operational focus is becoming increasingly important.

Kuzan said he was pleased to join the company at such an important stage, pointing to Ardagh Glass Packaging’s heritage in quality, innovation and customer service. His priorities will include building on the company’s European platform, improving performance and working closely with customers to support their growth objectives.

At the same time, Timur Colak, currently Chief Transformation Officer, will take on the expanded role of Chief Commercial Officer for AGP. His new responsibilities include leading the global sales process with a more structured, value-based approach. The company says this will involve enhanced analytics and commercial modelling tools designed to support stronger decision-making across customer relationships.

• Alexander Kuzan becomes CEO of AGP-Europe.
• Timur Colak expands his role to Chief Commercial Officer for AGP.
• Mike Dick, current AGP CEO, will retire at the end of the month.
• Regional CEOs will now report directly to Ardagh Group Executive Chairman Mark Porto.
• The new structure aims to improve speed, agility and customer responsiveness.

The restructuring also changes the reporting lines across AGP’s regional businesses. Brian Brandstatter, CEO of AGP-North America, Paul Curnow, CEO of AGP-Africa, and Alexander Kuzan, CEO of AGP-Europe, will now report directly to Mark Porto, Executive Chairman of Ardagh Group. Colak will also continue to report directly to Porto.

This model gives regional leaders clearer accountability and more direct authority to respond to local market conditions. For a global glass packaging company, that can be essential. Demand drivers, energy costs, recycling systems and customer needs vary significantly by region. A decentralised structure can help the company act faster while still aligning around group-level strategy.

The appointments follow Ardagh’s broader strategic initiative to transform the business and strengthen its competitive position. The company has recently focused on aligning capacity with demand, improving end-to-end efficiency, reinforcing customer partnerships and developing a performance-driven culture. Leadership structure is a key part of that agenda.

For glass packaging customers, the commercial approach may be especially relevant. Beverage and food brands increasingly expect suppliers to offer not only containers, but also reliability, design support, sustainability guidance and long-term value. A more analytics-based sales process can help packaging suppliers understand where partnerships create mutual benefit, rather than competing only on price.

Glass remains a strategically important material because of its recyclability, premium image, product protection properties and strong position in beverages, spirits, food and cosmetics. However, the sector also faces challenges linked to furnace efficiency, energy consumption, logistics costs and competition from alternative materials. Strong regional execution and customer-focused commercial strategy will be essential for maintaining growth.

Mark Porto described the appointments and structural changes as a pivotal moment for Ardagh Glass Packaging. He said the new structure is intended to empower regional leaders, sharpen the company’s commercial focus and create a stronger foundation for sustainable growth and continued industry leadership.

As AGP enters its next phase, the leadership changes signal a sharper focus on operational responsiveness and value-based customer partnerships. In a market where packaging suppliers must combine sustainability, quality, cost control and innovation, Ardagh’s new structure is designed to help the company move with greater speed while protecting the strengths of its global glass packaging platform.