Toy and baby products retailer, Toys ‘R’ Us Asia, has appointed Starbucks China’s former executive Leo Tsoi as its new CEO and as a board member. Interim CEO Pieter Schats will remain on the board.

Tsoi recently served as CEO at Starbucks China, where he was also a member of the Starbucks global executive leadership team, and before that held several senior positions including president of retail, COO, CMO and VP of store development & design. 

He has more than 27 years of consumer retail experience and business leadership in large multinational brands across Asia, including Pepsico and Procter & Gamble. 

“Over the course of his career, Leo has distinguished himself as a bold innovator and inspiring leader who has led rapid growth over a diverse range of product portfolios,” said  Drew M Nuland, chairman at Toys ‘R’ Us Asia. 

“He has a proven track record not only in operational efficiency, digital transformation and brand management but also in engaging customers throughout the region.”

The company’s former CEO of Toys ‘R’ Us Asia, Andre Javes, stepped down from his role last year after nine years with the business. 

Based in Hong Kong, Toy ‘R’ Us Asia operates about 470 locations across Asia, including China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Brunei, and licenses more than 85 stores in the Philippines and Macau.