Quintessential Brands has appointed a former Moet Hennessy and Heineken executive as its commercial director for Asia-Pacific as it ups its focus on the key region. 

Jon Band, the owner of Sydney-based consultancy firm GAP Drinks, has taken on the role, and is charged with “building relationships with distributors, retailers and consumers”. A spokesperson told just-drinks: “Jon will be managing the growth of our branded and B2B/own-label business in Asia-Pacific.” 

The spirits firm, which already sells its brands in the region, will up its focus on key markets, including Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Japan and the Philippines.

Band previously spent four-and-a-half years as general manager for Heineken's business in Japan, run as a joint-venture with Kirin. 

Prior to that, he spent six years, starting in 2000, as a business development director for The Glenmorangie Company, which was subsequently acquired by Moet Hennessy in 2005. 

Quintessential Brands, whose portfolio includes Greenall's Original Gin, has made a number of senior appointments this year as it looks to expand. In April, it acquired Irish cream liqueur producer First Ireland Spirits Co.

The group's co-founder is former Gruppo Campari CEO Enzo Visone.