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International Beverage rejigs spirits exec team as Leask exits

The business, the international arm of ThaiBev, said UK managing director Leask was departing after almost 30 years with the group.

Dean Best September 16 2025

International Beverage has set out executive changes as company veteran Malcolm Leask leaves the UK-headquartered group.

The business, the international arm of ThaiBev, said UK managing director Leask was departing after almost 30 years with the group.

Leask’s role has been made redundant. From next month, the “international spirits leadership team” at International Beverage will report to the wider group’s chief of international spirits, Rahul Colaco, who is based in Thailand.

In December, ThaiBev, which houses brands including Speyburn single malt whisky and Larsen Cognac, appointed Sopon Racharaksa as chief of its spirits product group. Colaco reports into Sopon.

The change to International Beverage’s structure will see Fiona Kennie promoted to global marketing director at the business. She was appointed marketing director for International Beverage’s Scotch products last year.

Desiree Reid, the founder and MD of Cardrona Distillery, the New Zealand business the group acquired two years ago, will become International Beverage’s global sales director.

Cardrona Distillery CFO Henry Caulton will become acting MD at the New Zealand whisky, vodka and gin business.

HR Director Sam Kirk said: “Malcolm has contributed significantly to our business over the past three decades, applying his skills and commitment to developing our brands internationally. We thank him for his efforts and he leaves our brands well positioned for the future. We are also pleased to have finalised our international spirits senior leadership team of experienced professionals leading our global operations.”

In the nine months to the end of June, ThaiBev generated revenue of Bt258.62bn ($8.15bn), down 0.4% on the corresponding period a year earlier.

The revenue ThaiBev recorded from its spirits arm stood at BT92.78bn, flat year on year. The division’s EBITDA was down 5.4% at Bt22.16bn.

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