International Beverage confirms new Global Senior Leadership structure

Today we announce changes to the structure of our new International Spirits Senior Leadership Team – as we bid farewell to current UK Managing Director Malcolm Leask. 

The business paid a note of thanks to Mr Leask for the long-standing and highly-valued contribution he has made to the company’s success since he joined almost 30 years ago – and as a leader in his current role over the past three years.  

From October, the International Spirits Leadership Team, several of whom are based at the company’s headquarters in Airdrie, Scotland, will report to the Chief of Spirits International, who is based in Thailand.  

Further to this change in structure, Fiona Kennie moves into the role of Global Marketing Director, following her appointment as Marketing Director for the Scotch portfolio last year. Fiona will continue to collaborate with Alan Mitchell, Operations Director for the Scotch Business, who oversees our Maturation & Blending and Bottling facilities at Airdrie and our 5 Distilleries in Scotland. 

Cardrona Distillery Founder and Managing Director Desiree Reid is set to transition to the role of Global Sales Director before the end of 2025, having worked within the senior leadership team for two years following the acquisition of Cardrona Distillery in 2023. It was also confirmed today that Cardrona Distillery Chief Financial Officer Henry Caulton will take over from Desiree Reid as Acting Managing Director at the New Zealand-based business; and Emmanuel Dokhelar will continue as Managing Director of Larsen Cognac in France, following his appointment in 2024.  

The enhanced team will lead a global growth strategy for International Beverage’s increasingly diverse spirits portfolio, which includes its award-winning single malt whisky brands in Scotland, Larsen Cognac in France, the Cardrona Distillery spirits in New Zealand and a growing portfolio of Thai Spirits including Phraya Rum and Thailand’s first single malt whisky, the recently launched PRAKAAN.  

HC Director Sam Kirk stated:

"Malcolm has contributed significantly to our business over the past three decades, applying his skills and commitment to developing our brands internationally. We thank him for his efforts, and he leaves our brands well positioned for the future. We wish him success in the next stage of his career." 

"We are also pleased to have finalised our International Spirits Senior Leadership Team of experienced professionals leading our global operations. With Sarah Burgess recently appointed as Master of Whisky Creation and nearly 80 new recruits joining in Scotland and worldwide during 2025, we continue to invest in people as we prepare for future developments."