Irish Distillers hires ex-Remy md as sales and marketing director

Irish Distillers, the whiskey producer and distributor, has appointed Peter O’Connell to the position of sales and marketing director.

He joins from Remy Cointreau in Holland, where he was managing director for the Lucas Bols Brand Group and had responsibility for Bols globally.

O’Connell replaces Martin Riley, who moved to the post of international marketing director for the newly created whiskey business Chivas Brothers. O’Connell will report to chief executive Philippe Savinel.

O’Connell previously worked for Baileys, where he was regional director for Southern Europe, and at Gilbeys as international on-trade development director. He was also marketing director for Casa Cuervo in Mexico, owners of Jose Cuervo Tequila.

Irish Distillers, which is owned by Pernod Ricard, distills and distributes a range of Irish whiskey, gin and vodka brands internationally and also imports and distributes a spirits and wines from other countries.

Products distilled in Ireland include Jameson, Bushmills, Paddy, Murphy’s and a range of deluxe whiskeys. It also makes gin and vodka brands.

The company runs a website to promote its Black Bush brand called worldsbestbars.com. It features 350 bars, including 100 in the UK. The website is part of a push to market the brand to young Londoners.