Whyte & Mackay spirits company has appointed a former Bacardi UK CEO as their new chief executive.
John Beard has been appointed ‘to accelerate the firm’s domestic and international expansion plans.’
Beard joined the whisky and vodka business this week after spending 19 years at Bacardi and its associated companies. He worked in a variety of sales, marketing and general management roles, including UK sales director, before taking up the post of regional director for Eastern Europe which included looking after the travel retail sector.
He subsequently returned to the UK where he spent the last three years as UK CEO of Bacardi Brown Forman.
Beard replaces Ashwin Malik who is returning to India, with his family, after spending almost two years in Scotland helping to build the business after it was bought by Indian entrepreneur Dr Vijay Mallya in 2007.
Beard said: “I have met with Dr Mallya personally, and there is no doubt in my mind that he is committed to this company, committed to building great premium brands, and committed to making Whyte & Mackay a major international spirits company. I am looking forward to doing my bit to help that become a reality.”
Among Malik’s achievements are boosting the company from an £18m loss to £25m profit in 18 months; growing the branded business by 30%; new distro in Australia, India, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa the USA; and new subsidiary companies and fully manned regional offices in Dubai, Taiwan and the US.
Beard’s appointment follows quickly on from the appointment in January of a new global sales and marketing director Nick Garland who joined the company from Beam Global.
Whyte & Mackay produces and markets a range of whisky and vodka brands including Whyte & Mackay blended whisky, The Dalmore and Jura malts, Glayva and two vodka brands, Vladivar and Pinky.
