Bacardi boss steps aside in reshuffle

Westbay Distributors, the UK marketing arm of Bacardi Martini, has lost marketing director Geoffrey Bichard, who is leaving the post to “pursue other interests”.

He is being replaced by marketing controller for spirits Stella David. But Bichard will continue to work at Westbay as a non-executive director, advising on strategy and marketing.

The move has surprised some observers, as Bichard has been with Bacardi Martini for 20 years.

Bichard became Westbay’s marketing director 18 months ago (MW March 17 1995), after Bacardi moved Jim Roche to be assistant managing director of its whisky division, William Lawson.

Bichard was previously European co-ordinator, and worked in a number of international positions for the company.

David joined Westbay in June 1994 from Golden Wonder, where she had worked in a variety of roles including new product develop-ment (npd).

Westbay is recruiting a replacement marketing controller. As marketing director, she will report to Westbay managing director Simon Gould.

During the past two years, Westbay has produced the first ads for UK television for Bacardi and relaunched Martini.

The company has also launched new brands, Bacardi Spice and Martini Metz.