Chief Financial Officer Yum China Names Adrian Ding as New CFO
Yum China Holdings, Inc. (“Yum China” or “the Company”) (NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987) has officially announced the appointment of Adrian Ding as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective March 6, 2025. This decision follows an extensive search process to identify the ideal candidate for the role. Adrian has been serving as Acting CFO since October 2024 and has now been confirmed in the position on a permanent basis.
A Strategic Appointment
The appointment of Adrian Ding marks a significant milestone for Yum China as it continues to strengthen its leadership team amid ambitious expansion plans. Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China, Chief Financial Officer expressed her confidence in Adrian’s leadership and expertise, emphasizing his vital role in shaping the Company’s Chief Financial Officerstrategies and engaging with stakeholders.
“We are delighted to announce Adrian’s appointment as our CFO. Over the last five months, he has made significant contributions, proving himself as the ideal candidate to serve as the Chief Financial Officer of Yum China. He has effectively led the finance team, strengthened our engagement with stakeholders, including the capital markets, and played a pivotal role in building Yum China’s growth momentum,” said Wat. “With his deep understanding of our strategies and strong business acumen, I am confident that Adrian will continue to play an instrumental role in driving our RGM 2.0 strategy. I look forward to partnering closely with him as we enter another exciting phase of growth and development.”
Adrian Ding’s Journey at Yum China
Adrian Ding has been an integral part of Yum China’s leadership since joining the Company in March 2019 as Vice President of Corporate Chief Financial Officer. Over the years, he has demonstrated a strong ability to lead financial operations and strategic investments. In February 2020, he was appointed as Chief Financial Officer Investment Officer, a position he held until his latest promotion to CFO.
During his tenure at Yum China, Adrian has led numerous investment and capital markets projects aimed at strengthening the Company’s financial standing and business expansion. Some of his most notable contributions include:
- Leading the acquisition of KFC joint venture stakes, which expanded Yum China’s influence in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector.
- Driving strategic investments in key areas such as supply chain infrastructure, technology, and business expansion initiatives.
- Playing a pivotal role in Yum China’s secondary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, a move that enhanced the Company’s access to international capital markets.
- Serving as General Manager of the Company’s Lavazza joint venture from March 2022 to December 2024, where he played an instrumental role in establishing and growing the Lavazza coffee brand in China.
These achievements reflect Adrian’s deep understanding of financial management, corporate strategy, and the evolving consumer landscape in China’s foodservice industry.
A Wealth of Experience in Finance and Investments
Before joining Yum China, Adrian Ding built a distinguished career in investment banking and strategic investment roles, gaining extensive expertise in financial management and capital markets. His experience includes:
- Working at Alibaba Group Holding Limited from 2018 to early 2019, where he was responsible for overseeing strategic investments in the technology and media sectors.
- Serving as Director in Investment Banking at UBS AG, where he played a crucial role in advising clients on capital markets and M&A transactions.
- Holding key positions at Morgan Stanley and Citigroup Global Markets Asia Limited, where he worked on high-profile Chief Financial Officer deals and investment projects across different industries.
Adrian’s deep financial knowledge and experience in leading investment strategies make him exceptionally well-suited to the CFO role at Yum China, especially as the Company continues its focus on financial sustainability and long-term growth.
Future Vision and Strategy
With his appointment as CFO, Adrian will play a central role in driving Yum China’s RGM 2.0 strategy, which aims to optimize revenue growth management, enhance operational efficiencies, and strengthen the Company’s competitive position in the market. His leadership will be instrumental in guiding Yum China through its next phase of expansion, ensuring financial stability while pursuing innovation and new growth opportunities.
Yum China has been expanding its presence in China’s dynamic restaurant sector, operating well-known brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Lavazza. As consumer trends continue to evolve, the Company is leveraging digitalization, supply chain enhancements, and brand innovation to strengthen its market position. Adrian’s experience in finance and strategic investments aligns well with these objectives, positioning him to support Yum China’s ongoing growth trajectory.
Educational Background and Industry Leadership
Adrian Ding holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor’s degree in Quantitative Finance from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. His strong academic foundation in finance and business strategy has been a key driver of his success in the corporate world.
In addition to his role at Yum China, Adrian currently serves as a director of Fujian Sunner Development Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen Stock Exchange: 002299), further demonstrating his leadership within the broader financial and business community.
Strengthening Leadership for Future Success
As Yum China continues to innovate and expand, the appointment of Adrian Ding as CFO marks an important step in reinforcing the Company’s leadership structure. Chief Financial Officer With a proven track record in financial management, capital investments, and strategic growth, Adrian is well-positioned to drive Yum China’s success in an increasingly competitive market.
His expertise in navigating Chief Financial Officer complexities, engaging with capital markets, and spearheading investment initiatives will be essential in advancing Yum China’s mission to deliver value to shareholders, customers, and business partners.
With strong leadership at the helm, Yum China remains committed to its vision of sustainable growth, operational excellence, and continued success in China’s fast-growing restaurant industry.
