Leading Executives in Distilleries
Juan Domingo Beckmann
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) , Becle (José Cuervo)
Third‑generation tequila leader steering the world’s largest tequila producer through global expansion and operational resilience as CEO of José Cuervo’s parent, Becle.
Company site | Parent company (Becle) IR
Chris Caldwell
Global Chief Executive Officer , Stoli Group
Finance‑minded operator elevated from CFO to Global CEO in 2023; leading portfolio and U.S. restructuring efforts across vodka, tequila, and whiskey brands.
Company site | LinkedIn (Company)
Bryan Donaghey
Chief Executive Officer , Whyte & Mackay
Heads the Scotch maker behind The Dalmore, Jura, Tamnavulin and Fettercairn, with global growth across single malts and blends.
Company site | U.S. contact (Whyte & Mackay Americas)
Julie Francis
President & Chief Executive Officer , MGP Ingredients
Appointed July 21, 2025 to lead MGP’s pivot toward branded spirits while overseeing its contract distilling and ingredients businesses.
Jean‑Jacques Guiony
President & Chief Executive Officer , Moët Hennessy (LVMH Wines & Spirits)
Long‑time LVMH executive tapped to run the wines & spirits division from February 1, 2025, overseeing Hennessy, Glenmorangie/Ardbeg and more.
Division site | LVMH announcement
Søren Hagh
Chief Executive Officer , William Grant & Sons
Ex‑Heineken Europe chief brought in to run the Glenfiddich and Hendrick’s owner from January 1, 2024, focusing on premium Scotch and tequila scale‑up.
Greg Hughes
President & Chief Executive Officer , Suntory Global Spirits (formerly Beam Suntory)
Brand‑led operator elevated in October 2023; now leading the Yamazaki/Beam/Maker’s portfolio following the group’s rebrand to Suntory Global Spirits.
Simon Hunt
Chief Executive Officer , Campari Group
Installed January 2025 to drive Aperol, Campari and Wild Turkey; has since streamlined the portfolio (e.g., Cinzano/Frattina sale) to refocus on core brands.
Nik Jhangiani
Interim Chief Executive Officer , Diageo
Former CFO asked to steady the world’s largest spirits maker as interim CEO in July 2025, following Debra Crew’s departure.
Company site | News (leadership change)
Kate Latts
Co‑President , Heaven Hill Brands
Third‑generation family leader and co‑president (with Allan Latts) since 2022, guiding America’s largest independent, family‑owned spirits company.
Caspar MacRae
President & Chief Executive Officer , The Glenmorangie Company (Glenmorangie & Ardbeg)
Took the helm in July 2023, overseeing LVMH’s Scotch single malt houses Glenmorangie and Ardbeg and their premiumization push.
Company site | Company (The Glenmorangie Company)
Mahesh Madhavan
Chief Executive Officer , Bacardi Limited
Veteran operator leading the world’s largest privately held spirits company, spanning Patrón, Grey Goose, Dewar’s and more.
Company site | Leadership page
Franck Marilly
Chief Executive Officer , Rémy Cointreau
Luxury brand veteran (ex‑Chanel/Shiseido) appointed CEO effective June 25, 2025 to navigate cognac headwinds in the U.S. and China.
Company site | News (CEO appointment)
Scott McCroskie
Chief Executive Officer , Edrington
Chief executive since 2019 of the owner of The Macallan, Highland Park and Brugal; continues to scale ultra‑premium Scotch globally.
Company site | Leadership page
Alexandre Ricard
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer , Pernod Ricard
Chairman & CEO since 2015 of the world’s #2 Western spirits group, stewarding brands from Jameson and Martell to Absolut and The Glenlivet.
Company site | Governance/leadership
Leonard Russell
Managing Director , Ian Macleod Distillers
Family owner‑operator and MD who revitalised heritage single malt houses including Rosebank, Glengoyne and Tamdhu.
Company site | Company registry (UK)
Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi
President & Chief Executive Officer , Thai Beverage (ThaiBev)
Group president & CEO guiding Southeast Asia’s beverage giant (spirits, beer and beyond), including Inver House Distillers in Scotland.
Mauricio Vergara
President & Chief Executive Officer , Proximo Spirits (a Becle company)
Ex‑Patrón/D’Ussé/Ilegal chief named CEO effective July 1, 2025, leading José Cuervo/1800/Kraken and other brands in the U.S. & Canada.
Company site | News (CEO appointment)
Jake Wenz
President & Chief Executive Officer , Sazerac Company
Succeeded longtime chief Mark Brown in 2023; now leading Buffalo Trace, Fireball and a wide portfolio of American and global spirits.
Company site | Consumer contact
Lawson Whiting
President & Chief Executive Officer , Brown‑Forman
Veteran Brown‑Forman executive steering Jack Daniel’s parent through a challenging macro cycle while investing in premium whiskey growth.
Company site | Leadership/Governance
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