Belvédère confirms company name change

French drinks group Belvédère has confirmed the company’s official name change to Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits.

Effective from 1 July, the name change was approved by the board at its shareholder meeting on Monday.

The firm, maker of Marie Brizard liqueurs and William Peel Scotch whisky, first proposed changing its name in May as the “final step” in the company’s “normalization plan”.

Belvédère’s shareholders also adopted all of the resolutions approved by the board, including the renewal of Benoît Hérault as chairman and the appointment of Rita Maria Zniber as vice-chairwoman.

The change in name came about as part of an “ambitious” new strategic plan that was implemented following a 4.1% sales decline in 2014, impacted by tax increases in Poland.

In the last few months, Belvédère has endeavoured to pull back falling sales, which witnessed the firm cut its global workforce by 500 people as part of the company overhaul.