Singapore – The LEGO Group has unveiled two new additions to its Asia Pacific leadership team with the appointment of Cedric Roose as general manager for India and Emerging Asia and Nina Patricia Da Costa as general manager for Singapore, Malaysia, and Travel Retail.
The appointments underscore the company’s commitment to expanding its presence and driving growth in the region by establishing strong leadership for the recently created business units of Singapore, Malaysia, and Travel Retail (SMTR), and India and Emerging Asia (IEA).
In his new role as general manager for the IEA business unit, Roose will leverage his strong and experienced leadership track record to drive sustainable commercial growth and regional expansion in IEA, with a strategic focus on India and Indonesia.
Prior to his promotion, he served as the LEGO Group’s country manager for New Zealand. A LEGO Group veteran, Roose has spent the last 15 years gaining a wealth of experience in sales, regional commercial development, and general management across Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand. Under his leadership, the LEGO Group’s New Zealand business unit achieved double-digit growth over the last six years.
Meanwhile, Da Costa, as the new general manager for the SMTR business unit, brings over 17 years of invaluable experience in marketing, sales, and general management across blue-chip multinational organisations.
Her extensive track record as a strategic leader, adept at navigating both local and regional roles in diverse multi-channel environments and categories, positions her as a catalyst for innovation and growth within the business unit. She previously worked at LVMH, serving as the travel retail sales director for Moet Hennessy Travel Retail Asia Pacific Team.
Da Costa’s appointment underscores the company’s commitment to fostering talent and driving forward-thinking initiatives, including spearheading our expansion efforts in the vibrant and dynamic travel retail category in Asia Pacific.
Speaking on her appointment, Da Costa shared, “I am thrilled to begin this new journey with the LEGO Group, leveraging my expertise in steering the Singapore, Malaysia, and Travel Retail business units and in contributing to the group’s ongoing success in this lively and rapidly evolving region. I am eager to embark on this new and exciting phase of my career, cultivating collaborative synergy within our teams and our esteemed partners as we collectively advance our mission of empowering individuals through the transformative power of play.”
In his appointment, Roose also said, “I am truly honoured and humbled to spearhead the newly established India and Emerging Asia business unit. The potential across India, Indonesia, and other countries in this part of the world is boundless, and I am eager to work closely with the team and our distributor partners to continue championing the LEGO® brand and foster immersive, high-quality play experiences for both children and adults alike.”
Both Roose and Da Costa will report directly to Claus Kristensen, senior vice president of APAC at The LEGO Group.
Kristensen shared, “Cedric and Nina joining our APAC leadership team opens an exciting new chapter for us in Asia Pacific. Their expertise, coupled with their proven track records in driving innovation and fostering growth, support our ambition to remain at the forefront of the toy industry in the region. I am confident in their ability to lead their newly created business units as we inspire creativity, shape the future of play, and propel the LEGO Group forward in Asia Pacific.”