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HUGUES PIETRINI has been hired as Global Chief Executive Officer for the division responsible for the production, management and distribution of the Group’s global spirits portfolio.  Most recently Pietrini was the Executive Vice President of Distribution at Moët Hennessy, where he led the Ruinart, Krug, Glenmorangie and Belvedere brand houses. ... Read More

LOU CONRAD has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales.  He replaces BILL CORBETT, who has stepped back from his SVP responsibilities as he moves toward retirement in September, 2O18.  Corbett has been with the drinks company for 32 years.  He’ll continue to work closely with the management team... Read More

RICHARD ELIA 1941-2O17 Wine Publisher, Professor of English Richard L. Elia, best known to some of us as publisher and, with Randy Sheahan, co-editor of The Quarterly Review of Wines, died on February 23 after a several-month illness.  He and his wife of 47 years, Harley MacKenzie, had long resided... Read More

ERIK ANDERSSON has been hired as the new ambassador for the US East market. In his new position he will oversee the eastern region of the country. For nearly half a decade, Andersson was the Hendrick’s ambassador in Asia covering China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong. He began... Read More

BRETT DUNNE is the new Managing Director for Lucas Bols USA. Dunne has nearly 3O years of experience in the spirits industry, most recently as General Manager at Disaronno USA. He will be responsible for continuing the company’s growth in the US through the management of distributor partners as well... Read More

The trade association has named KEVIN DOIDGE as the organization’s new Sales Director. In this role he will be responsible for developing relationships and selling high-level sponsorships for all BA properties, including the organization’s publications, websites and events, focusing on non-endemic category development. With nearly two decades of marketing experience,... Read More

KAREN BETTS has been appointed as the Association’s new Chief Executive, effective May 19.  She joins the SWA after a 16-year career in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, most recently as British Ambassador to Morocco.  She becomes only the eighth head, and the first female Chief Executive, of the SWA... Read More

The company has hired BRIAN COX as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Cox has more than 2O years’ experience in the spirits industry, having held US and global positions at Allied Domecq and Moet Hennessy before joining Diageo where he most recently led their Scotch whisky division. Additionally... Read More

SARAH LONG has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Americas region, which includes North, South and Central Americas. In this role she’ll be responsible for further elevating the luxury image of the brands. Additionally, Long will provide executive leadership and brand management across the company’s... Read More

RACHEL BARRIE has been appointed as whisky maker for the drinks company’s Scotch whisky portfolio, which includes the BenRiach, The GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh distilleries. She succeeds BILLY WALKER, who will continue to support the distilleries and share his whisky expertise throughout the transition. Barrie was Master Blender of Morrison Bowmore... Read More