Sales fizz at Irn-Bru

IRN-BRU maker AG Barr has seen its halfyear sales fizz higher despite a tumultuous time for soft drinks firms faced with the sugar tax, a CO2 shortage and extreme weather.

The Scottish company which also makes Tizer reported a 4pc rise in underlying pre-tax profits to £18.2m for the six months to July 28 after sales lifted 5.5pc to £129.8m. AG Barr said its ‘growth momentum has not been interrupted’ in spite of sector headwinds and a ‘challenging and volatile marketplace’.

Boss Roger White said: ‘We have delivered a solid financial performance.’ BRITISH American Tobacco has named Jack Bowles chief executive. Chief operating officer since 2017, he will replace Nicandro Durante, 62, who is retiring after nearly 37 years with the cigarette