Bacardi names new chief executive

Bacardi has appointed Seamus McBride, from Colgate-Palmolive, as its new chief executive. The former Bass brewery marketing director joins the spirits group in September.

McBride will join from Colgate-Palmolive, where he was executive vice president and president of North America. He succeeds Andreas Gembler (pictured), who has held the position of president and chief executive since 2005. Gembler retires in September.

At Colgate-Palmolive, McBride was responsible for the business operations in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean and also directed Colgate’s global commercial effectiveness programme. He has spent 25 years at Colgate and spent four years as marketing director for beer producer, Bass.

McBride will report to Facundo L. Bacardi, chairman of Bacardi Ltd, and will be based at the company’s headquarters in Bermuda.

Bacardi’s portfolio includes more than 200 brands including Bacardi rum, Grey Goose vodka, Martini vermouth, Dewar’s scotch whisky, Bombay Sapphire gin and Cazadores tequila.