Irish Distillers’ new face

A TRALEE man has just been appointed to one of the top roles in Irish Distillers.

Brendan Buckley, who is a University of Limerick Marketing and Economics Graduate, will hold the responsibility for strategy, innovation and Irish Distillers’ prestige whiskey portfolio.

Prior to joining Irish Distillers, Brendan was directly involved in two successful start-up ventures in Ireland and the US, both of which were related to the alcohol beverage industry.

In 2001, Brendan joined Irish Distillers’ domestic business and held a number of roles before eventually becoming Marketing Director for Irish Distillers’ domestic portfolio. In 2008, he joined the International Marketing team responsible for the global development of Irish Distillers’ portfolio of Irish whiskey brands and also assumed responsibility for the Innovation function across the business.

A key part of Brendan’s role will be to ensure the sustained growth of Irish Distillers’ prestige whiskey range which last year saw growth of 24 per cent.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Powers and Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers – which now employs over 600 people in Cork and Dublin – joined the Pernod Ricard group giving the firm an extensive global distribution network.

Tralee man Brendan Buckley who has just been appointed to Irish Distiller’s Leadership Team.