GLOBAL drinks business International Beverage Holdings has announced the appointment of Vice President of Sales Malcolm Leask to the new post of Managing Director.
The producer of well-known drinks brands including Old Pulteney, Balblair and Speyburn single malt whiskies will lead a consolidation of all UK operations, including the Inver House Distillers production subsidiary, under the International Beverage banner.
Leask, who has over 25 years of service with the business, is tasked with an ambitious programme of growth and international expansion to build on the success currently enjoyed by the company’s spirits portfolio.
Mr Leask commented: “We are uniting all aspects of our business under the International Beverage banner and planning for what will be a very exciting and dynamic new era of growth, both in the UK and in international markets.
“Our premium brands are amongst the very best in the industry and we have much to be proud of when it comes to our track record for quality, innovation and sustainable distilling, not to mention the incredibly dedicated and talented people who work in our business.
“I’m very much looking forward to working together with them to build on all of this great work and to achieve even greater things in the future.”
The announcement coincides with news of the planned retiral in early 2023 of Martin Leonard, current Managing Director of Inver House Distillers, after nearly 25 years of service.
Mr Leask added: “We owe Martin Leonard an enormous debt of gratitude for his custodianship of our stable of whiskies and gin over the past few years.
“He has led the Inver House operation with vision and expertise, building the strong foundation our business is built on today.”
International Beverage Holdings Ltd is one of the drinks industry’s most dynamic global businesses.
Established in 2006 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Thaibev, the company operates as its international business arm, specialising in the development of premium local spirits for the global market.
Based in Hong Kong with regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, the USA and UK, the company is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium brands in over 85 markets.
These brands are led by a range of Scotch whiskies and an array of beers and spirits. These include:
- Single malt Scotch whiskies Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn
- Blended Scotch Hankey Bannister
- Caorunn, Scotland’s leading super premium gin
- Mekhong, ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
