BERMUDA: CEO change at Bacardi

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 4 August 2008

Bacardi has confirmed a change of leadership at the family-owned drinks company.

Facundo Bacardi, the Bermuda-based company's chairman, announced today (4 August) that Seamus McBride will replace Andreas Gembler as president and CEO, from the beginning of next month. Gembler, 65, is set to retire on 1 September after three years in the hot seat.

McBride joins Bacardi from Colgate-Palmolive where he served as executive vice president and president for North America. He has spent more than 25 years in marketing and management at Colgate, while he also spent four years as marketing director for Bass brewer.

"We want to thank Andreas for his extraordinary leadership and many contributions to Bacardi Limited," said Facundo Bacardi. "During each year of his tenure, our company produced record sales, earnings from operations and net income.

"Seamus is an outstanding business leader with broad global expertise in consumer products including marketing, commercial operations, and systems," he continued. "We look forward to benefiting from his vast experience in leading our global spirits business to new successes in a challenging competitive environment."

McBride will be based at Bacardi's Bermuda headquarters.

Sectors: Spirits

Companies: Bacardi