William Grant ‘evolves’ US commercial team

Glenfiddich Scotch whisky maker William Grant & Sons is targeting “continued growth” in the US market with a number of executive appointments and a new structure for its commercial team.

William Grant has appointed a number of sales executives to its leadership team in the US

The group’s commercial team will be headed by Joanne Jones, general manager east region; Richard Frederick, general manager west region; and Marc Hirten, general manager of commercial strategy.

All three have also been appointed to the firm’s US executive team and will report to Jonathan Yusen, president and managing director of William Grant & Sons’ US and Canadian business.

The company said the new structure “continues to champion distributor alignment”.

Jones will have primary responsibility for William Grant’s relationship with the newly formed Breakthru Beverage Group and Martignetti Companies.

Frederick will be responsible for the group’s relationship with Republic National Distributing Company and Young’s Market Company.

Hirten’s management of commercial strategy includes leadership of William Grant’s national distribution accounts, analytics and new-to-market teams.

“Our goal is to continue to embrace many of the principles that have led to the last several years of our portfolio’s growth, while evolving the organisation to meet the needs of our distributors and customers,” said Jonathan Yusen.

“The significant potential that comes from a two-region structure sitting alongside commercial strategy thought leadership is matched by our enthusiasm in being able to appoint these commercial leaders from within our very talented team.”

The appointments of the commercial executives to William Grant’s US leadership team follows the departure of Ted Roman, senior vice president of sales, after an eight-year tenure.

In addition, Harvey Purchese, senior vice president of marketing, will expand his responsibilities to include marketing leadership of the company’s brands in Canada.

All changes came into effect on 1 February.

It was announced in December last year that Stella David, CEO of William Grant & Sons, is to step down from her role after six years.