Brown-Forman names new head of GTR

Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman has appointed David Rodiek as its new vice-president, managing director, global travel retail (GTR).

By Kate Malczewski

Rodiek will take the reins from Aude Bourdier from 1 June.

Meanwhile, Bourdier will become vice-president, managing director for Brown-Forman’s France/Belux (Belgium and Luxembourg) operations – “key markets” for the company, according to Thomas Hinrichs, the company’s senior vice-president, president, emerging international.

At the start of this year, the Woodford Reserve producer opened its Belux office in Brussels city centre.

“I would like to thank Aude who successfully led the Brown-Forman GTR division through the low points of the pandemic and the more uplifting recovery that is happening now. I feel optimistic about the opportunity ahead and the path that she and her team laid out,” Hinrichs said.

“The leadership change from Aude to David is done in the spirit of continuity with our strategy and plans for GTR, and it reinforces the commitment that we are making to the GTR channel and our customers for the long term.”

Rodiek has worked for Brown-Forman since 2005, and most recently held the role of vice-president, managing director, developing Europe, where he was responsible for driving growth in 30 European distributor markets. He previously worked as general manager Southern/Eastern Europe; general manager South Africa; area director Nordic/Baltics and Nordic travel retail; and brand director for Finlandia Vodka, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, CIS, and Middle East and Africa.

He is a veteran of spirits and consumer packaged goods companies Unilever, Wella, Mars and Bacardi.

“We are confident that we have the key strategies and initiatives in place to fully fuel that growth with David Rodiek at the helm,” Hinrichs concluded.

Last month, Brown-Forman made changes to its executive leadership team to boost brand-building and growth.