Drinks distributor Speciality Brands has signed an agreement with Chopin Vodka, to exclusively distribute the Polish brand in the UK from this October.
Alex Lawrence Milia has been promoted to managing director of Mr Lyan group and is now co-owner of the company’s venues.
Global drinks business International Beverage Holdings has announced the appointment of vice president of sales, Malcolm Leask, to the new post of managing director.
Hatch Mansfield managing director Patrick McGrath MW is stepping up to the newly created role of chairman.
Andrew Carter is set to take over from Frazer Thompson as CEO of Chapel Down winery from September this year.
Edrington and Beam Suntory have reached an agreement to end their joint-venture distribution businesses in Spain and the UK after more than a decade of partnership.
Melissa Draycott will take over from Martin Skelton as managing director of Gonzalez Byass UK in September.
The former managing directors of Greene King and Ei Group have invested in Hofmeister after growing excited by its potential to take the world beer category by storm.
Leading gin producer Quintessential Brands has promoted James Lousada to the role of chief executive.
Maxxium UK has announced the appointment of Mark Riley as managing director.
Patrick Ricard the titular head of the Pernod Ricard family, has died. He was 67. Cause of death has not been disclosed but it is believed to be a heart attack.
Bacardi Martini BV has announced the appointment of Rich Andrews as managing director of the UK & Ireland Business Unit and a member of the European Leadership Team under regional president, Europe, Stefan Bomhard.
Credit to Pernod. The company has done a fine job this week in extolling the success of scotch whisky around the world and in telling important opinion formers that the company is best placed to capitalise on that thirst and in doing so earn lots of money for the company, its suppliers, customers, not forgetting its investors.
SAB Miller has announced a number of directorate and senior management changes that will become effective from the company’s annual general meeting on July 26, 2012.
Bacardi Global Travel Retail has appointed Mike Birch to the role of managing director.
Jägermeister parent company Mast-Jägermeister has appointed Denis Schrey to its management team.
Pernod Ricard has announced a number of staff changes.
Pernod Ricard is pinning hopes of further growth on the US, central and South America to undermine Diageo’s position as the number one drinks company in the world.
SABMiller has announced the appointment of James (Jamie) Wilson as deputy chief financial officer.
Brown-Forman has appointed Michael McShane as managing director for Asia Pacific, effective February 1, 2011. McShane succeeds Stuart Beck who is to retire from the company in May 2011. McShane will be based in Hong Kong.
In his inaugural column for Drinks International, Branson takes a wider look at the overall non-alcoholic spirits sector to identify which brands will thrive and which won’t survive.
