International Beverage has confirmed the structure of its new international spirits senior leadership team as it bids farewell to current UK MD Malcolm Leask.

The business paid a note of thanks to Leask for his long-standing contribution over almost 30 years – 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. Kennie will continue to collaborate with Alan Mitchell, operations director for the Scotch business, who oversees the business’s maturation, blending and bottling facilities at Airdrie and five distilleries in Scotland.

Cardrona Distillery founder and MD 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 that Cardrona Distillery CFO Henry Caulton will take over from Desiree Reid as acting MD at the New Zealand-based business. Emmanuel Dokhelar will continue as MD 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 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.

HR director Sam Kirk said: “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 as he leaves our brands well positioned for the future.

“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.”

International Beverage Holdings Limited was established in 2006 as the international arm of ThaiBev, focused on developing distinctive, premium local brands for global growth. The portfolio is led by a range of Scotch whiskies, as well as beers and spirits, including Chang Beer, Mekhong, Old Pulteney single malt Scotch whisky, Hankey Bannister blended whisky and Caorunn Gin.