Drinks giant has a thirst for expansion

International premium spirits company, Edrington - which for the time being has a base in Kinfauns - is making new appointments at the top of the company.

In April the drinks giant, the largest Scotland-based whisky distiller, announced it was centralising its operations at a new global base in Glasgow and closing its Perth office in West Kinfauns with the loss of 13 Perthshire jobs.

The move out of Kinfauns is expected to be complete by the end of March.

In the top-level personnel shake-up, Bill Farrar, managing director Super Premium and associated with brands like The Macallan and Highland Park leaves Edrington in June to pursue new business interests.

Mr Farrar joined the Edrington board in 2003 and has overseen the rapid growth of the company’s international distribution businesses.

He will be succeeded by Paul Ross, who will be transferring from his current post as president of Edrington Americas in New York.

Paul’s place as president of Edrington Americas will be taken by Chris Spalding, who is currently commercial director, North America.

Aristotelis‘Tellis’Baroutsis will become managing director of the company’s Regional Power Brands business unit, which is responsible for The Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark blended Scotch whiskies and Brugal rum.