Campbell Distillers to hire Tottman as chief

Alex Sirech, sales and marketing director for Campbell Distillers, the UK subsidiary of international drinks group Pernod Ricard, has left to travel around the world.

His responsibilities will be taken by Ian Tottman, who joins at the level of general manager for the company’s UK spirits division from L’Oreal, where he was commercial director of the UK consumer division.

Sirech, who is to cycle around the world on a tandem with his wife, joined Campbell Distillers in 1994 as sales director. He was made sales and marketing director last year after a company restructure, with responsibilities for five departments: marketing; sales in the on-trade; sales in the off-trade; operations; and prestige (covering brands such as Ricard and Bisquit cognac).

A company spokeswoman says Sirech is taking a year off and that it is very likely he will return to work for the group.

Director of marketing Sergio Marly reported to Sirech and will now report to Tottman, who takes charge of the company’s UK spirits brands as part of his new job. These include Jameson Irish whiskey, Pernod, Pernod Hex, Bushmills Malt Irish whiskey and Aberlour Scotch malt.

Tottman, who reports to Campbell Distillers’ chairman and managing director Bruno Roqueplo, has worked for other multinational packaged goods companies such as Cadbury and Unilever.