Kennedy has more than 12 years’ experience in the drinks industry, having joined Drambuie in July 2002 as regional director, southern Europe. He subsequently took on additional responsibility for Latin America in 2003 and global travel retail in 2009.
In January 2011, he was promoted to managing director and was appointed CEO in July of the same year. Kennedy led the sale of Drambuie to William Grant and Sons in September 2014 and has just spent six months integrating Drambuie into the William Grant organisation.
Prior to Drambuie, he spent two years at Mars UK in various national sales management positions in the impulse and convenience sectors.
He replaces Steve Smith, who will retire later this year.
Stock Spirits, has core operations in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, Stock also exports to more than 40 countries worldwide. Global sales volumes currently total more than 125 million litres per year.
Stock claims to hold market leadership positions in spirits in both Poland and the Czech Republic, It says it is one of the world’s leading vodka producers. This includes having the number one leading vodka brands in Poland, Italy and the Czech Republic. Core Stock brands include products made to long-established recipes such as Stock brandy, Fernet Stock bitters and Limonce, as well as more recent creations like Stock Prestige and Czysta de Luxe vodkas.
