Diageo has announced the sale of Gleneagles Hotel to a private investment group led by Ennismore for an undisclosed amount.

Deidre Mahlan to be appointed president, Diageo North America. Tom Looney is appointed president, open and control states; Tom Day is becomes president, Diageo-Guinness USA and Jeff Ivey takes on national accounts leadership.

Vinexpo says 48,500 people visited its recent Bordeaux show, claiming that is stable with 2013.

Diageo and its subsidiary in India, United Spirits (USL), has announced phase II of the Young Women Social Entrepreneurship Development Programme in India.

WRAP, the organisation that promotes the use of resources sustainably, has unveiled its plan for the next five years.

Vinexpo chairman Xavier de Eizaguirre and CEO Guillaume Deglise have announced that the 2017 Vinexpo will be just four days, from Monday to Thursday.

Final figures on the number of visitors that visited the Bordeaux show will not be released until next week.

There are unconfirmed rumours that a private equity firm is about to bid for Diageo, the world’s largest premium drinks company.

Alexandre Ricard set his stall out yesterday (June 2) as Pernod Ricard celebrated 40 years of the two anise brands merging.

Friends of Glass, a European consumer forum that promotes glass packaging, has launched a ‘Taste of Europe’ campaign to discover how British tastes compare with those on the continent.

JB y Cia SA, the family-owned owner of Jose Cuervo tequila, plans to sell bonds to help pay for the acquisition of Northern Irish whiskey producer Bushmills, according to reports.

Beam Suntory has announced that it will simplify its regional structure by merging its four operating regions into three.

Diageo, the world’s largest premium drinks company, has announced its interim management statement for the nine months ended March 31, 2015.

Stock Spirits Group, the central and eastern European branded spirits producer, has announced that Michael Kennedy will be managing director, International and Italy from April 27.

Belvédère SA, the wine and spirits company in Europe and the US, has announced has announced the composition of its executive committee, headed by CEO Jean-Noël Reynaud.

Global Spirits, a privately held international manufacturer and marketer of wines and spirits, intends to expand its global presence by establishing an Americas Business Unit which will be based out of the company’s New York office.

Harpers Wine and Spirit and www.harpers.co.uk have joined Off Licence News and Drinks International at Agile Media.

Economist Sanna Suvanto-Harsaae becomes the new chairman of Altia’s board. Other new members of the board are: Kim Henriksson and Kasper Madsen who bring expertise on the Nordic market.

The organisers of the Bordeaux wine and spirits show, Vinexpo, say the trade exhibition is fully booked and stand reservations for the international wine and spirits exhibition are now closed.

Edrington, the scotch whisky and rum company, has announced that Paul Hyde has appointed to its main board.

The WSTA says new research shows that price increases in the off trade have slowed since the Government scrapped the alcohol duty escalator, cut beer duty and froze duty on spirits in 2014.

The Suffolk brewer and distiller and retailer has reported sales of £66 million and a £3.8m operating profit, in its report and accounts for the 12 months to December 31, 2014.

Gruppo Campari has published its full year results for 2014 which it says is in line with its expectations.

Major Australian wine producer, Australian Vintage has announced half year net profits of AUS$4.4 million, up from $4m, for the half year to December 31, 2014.

AG Barr plc, the soft drinks group, has announced the acquisition of Funkin Limited from its founding shareholders for an initial £16.5 million plus up to a further £4.5 million subject to meeting certain financial performance targets.

Diageo is to partner with Google’s Business View to offer free 360˚ virtual tours of its facilities. 

Maxxium UK’s managing director Huw Pennell is leaving to take up a new job at Edrington, one of Maxxium’s shareholders.

The 2015 Vinexpo is a turning point. It is the second generation, so says the new CEO, Guillaume Deglise.

Buckingham Schenk has announced that Craig Durham is its new managing director.

Direct Wines has announced the appointment of David Thatcher as group chief executive. Simon McMurtrie steps down on January 19.

Pernod Ricard has advanced its transition to focus on global brands in the Mexican market with the sale of RTD Caribe Cooler to Grupo Bepensa.

The Bibendum PLB Group has announced the structure of the buying team of the recently merged company.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the lead body for the UK wine and spirits industry, is calling the British government to cut the duty on all alcoholic drinks.

Rossi D’Asiago has announced that its flagship sambuca Antica, the second best selling brand in the category worldwide, will be distributed in Russia by the Synergy Group.

Moët Hennessy Wines and Spirits chairman and CEO, Christophe Navarre, has announced the appointment of Stéphane Voyer, as senior vice president human resources.

Fever-Tree has floated on the London Stock Market today, with the share price currently trading at £1.70 per share, over 25% up on the initial trading price.

Diageo’s global innovation programme – Diageo Technology Ventures – will be hosting a weekend ‘hackathon’ on November 8-9. 

Anheuser-Busch InBev has just reported its results for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2014.

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) in the UK is calling on the drinks industry and newly appointed EU Health Commissioner to introduce calorie labelling for alcoholic drinks.

Tesco has confirmed that it has been notified by the Serious Fraud Office that it has commenced an investigation into accounting practices at the company.

Sazerac - the New Orleans-based company – has announced the addition of Bond & Royal Spirits to focus on developing brands within the specialty and craft spirits space. 

Pernod Ricard UK managing director, Denis O’Flynn has been elected as the next chairman of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), succeeding Nick Hyde in January 2015.

William Grant & Sons has announced the acquisition of the Drambuie Liqueur Company. 

Vantguard – formerly Global Premium brands - has announced plans for a US launch of its entire portfolio. 

William Grant & Sons has reported increased turnover of £1.2bn, up 5.2% on the previous year. 

Pernod Ricard CEO Pierre Pringuet remains optimistic about China despite 23% decline in sales in its full year results.

Altia Plc, the major Nordic wine and spirits company, has launched a new strategy to achieve major improvements in profitability by the year 2016.

SABMiller plc announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, SABSA Holdings Limited, has now disposed of its entire shareholding in Tsogo Sun Holdings Limited (Tsogo Sun).

Stock Spirits Group PLC, the Central and Eastern European branded spirits producer, has announced its six monthly results for the period ended June 30, 2014.

The Pernod Ricard group has reported sales of €7.945 million for the financial year 2013/14.