Asahi Beverages has taken top honours at the 2025 Australian Drinks Awards, winning the Best Wellbeing Initiative Award. Asahi was recognised for building a high-performing safety culture, backed by strong executive leadership and deep employee engagement. Their initiative reshaped safety and wellbeing across the organisation with exceptional results.
Leadership-led, employee-powered
At the heart of the initiative was a simple but ambitious goal: to ensure that everyone at Asahi is safe and well to enjoy life – everywhere, every day. To achieve this, the company brought together 80 employees of varying seniority and from different locations to co-create a shared Safety & Wellbeing Vision. Backed by strong executive sponsorship, the initiative was launched with visible leadership, including CEO-led sessions and the active involvement of senior executives in “Stop for Safety & Wellbeing” events.
In under two years, around 1,000 Asahi employees completed a comprehensive Safety Leadership program, and 61 leader-led sessions reached almost 4,000 employees. A powerful practice of beginning meetings with “Safety Shares” – brief personal reflections on safety – emerged organically and has now become embedded in day-to-day conversations. Mental health training, employee-led risk networks and an inclusive approach to continuous improvement helped ensure that wellbeing was not just discussed but lived throughout the business.
“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised with the Best Wellbeing Initiative Award,” said Roz Lever – Chief People & Corporate Affairs Officer. “This honour reflects the strong leadership commitment and passion of our people, who have truly brought our Safety & Wellbeing vision to life. At Asahi, we believe that everyone deserves to be safe and well to enjoy life – everywhere, every day. This award is a celebration of what’s possible when strong leadership and deep employee engagement come together to create lasting, positive change.”
Meaningful results and lasting impact
The outcomes of the program have been both measurable and cultural. Asahi achieved a 35% reduction in Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) in 2024, alongside a four-point increase in its Safety Culture Index.
The impact of the initiative extended beyond Asahi Oceania, with the Safety & Wellbeing Vision adopted globally by Asahi Group Holdings in Japan. The program’s success is sustained by ongoing monitoring, leadership accountability and integration into strategy and people processes.
Through this initiative, Asahi Beverages has demonstrated that authentic leadership, genuine employee involvement and a focus on continuous improvement can deliver not only safer workplaces but stronger, more connected teams.
While presenting the award on behalf of the sponsor, Paramount Liquor, Chief Operating Officer Matthew Jeffrey said:
“This year’s finalists presented a diverse range of initiatives, each aligned with broader organisational goals, strongly supported by leadership and demonstrating clear benefits of employee wellbeing. Among them, one organisation stood out clearly to the judges as the winner for a number of reasons.”
The judges recognised several standout strengths of the initiative, including the:
- clear and measurable impact achieved in a short timeframe, including a notable downward trend in TRIFR.
- strong involvement and commitment from leadership, with the initiative embedded in broader people and safety strategies.
- co-creation model, fostering ownership and cultural change.
- innovative approach to embedding safety behaviours into daily operations across different environments, including non-traditional settings.
- emphasis on culture change, encouraging practical and relatable safety conversations at all levels.
- potential for replication across other departments, organisations, and industries.
A stellar night for Asahi
Asahi won two of the three 2025 Contribution to Industry Awards, also taking out the top gong for Best Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative, highlighting the business’ strong focus on their people and workplace experience.
The accolades didn’t end there, with Asahi claiming more than a third of the revamped brand awards for brands it either owns or distributes under license. Added to the Asahi trophy cabinet on the night were seven Most Reputable Brand titles, two Best New Product Innovations and a Best Brand Campaign.
“Seeing our iconic brands take centre stage at the 2025 Australian Drinks Awards is a major highlight,” added Nigel Parsons - Chief Commercial Officer. “What an honour to lead the incredible commercial teams whose passion and dedication get these brands into the hands of our valued customers and consumers, every day.”
The wins for Asahi were among 34 awards handed out at the 13th Annual Australian Drinks Awards, hosted by Edwina Bartholomew. The awards recognise achievement and excellence in the drinks industry, including three Contribution to Industry Awards: Best Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative, Best Wellbeing Initiative, and Best Environmental Sustainability Initiative.
The Drinks Association congratulates its Category One Member, Asahi Beverages, on winning the 2025 Best Wellbeing Initiative Award.
Paramount Liquor is a Category One Member of the Drinks Association.
The Drinks Association would like to thank its generous sponsors for this year’s event.