Pernod Ricard has signed an agreement to sell Czech herbal liqueur Becherovka to Poland’s Maspex Group for an undisclosed sum.

The advisory board of Familia Torres has agreed to begin a generational transition process in which the current chief executive, Miquel Torres Maczassek, will be appointed president of the company.

Maison Courvoisier has announced the launch of a second edition Courvoisier Mizunara, following the success of its inaugural edition.

Diageo has announced that its chief executive officer Sir Ivan Menezes will be retiring and is set to depart from the Diageo Board on 30 June this year, following 10 years leading the company.

Brown-Forman Corporation has announced the appointment of Larry Combs to the newly created role of chief information officer and director of supply chain integration and strategy.

Independent tequila brand, Código1530, has announced its entry into the mezcal category with the launch of two mezcal expressions.

Politicians and industry groups are urging the UK government to provide financial support to firms impacted by the rising Covid cases.

The former British ambassador to Argentina will succeed Karen Betts as the chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association.

Jean-Etienne Gourgues landed one of the top jobs in the Scotch whisky industry when he took over as chairman and chief executive of Chivas Brothers this summer.

UK craft brewer Vocation has invested in a redesign for its entire range.

Ardgowan Distillery has announced a new one million litre single malt distillery and visitor centre, built on the Ardgowan Estate in Inverclyde, Scotland.

The Portman Group has announced that Matt Lambert will replace John Timothy as chief executive in January 2021.

Leading gin producer Quintessential Brands has promoted James Lousada to the role of chief executive.

Naked Wines announced that chief financial officer James Crawford will take over as managing director of its UK business when it delivered its full-year results this morning. We caught up with him to learn more about his plans for the business, the opportunities ahead and the challenges that must be overcome. 

Naked Wines has reported 81% year-on-year revenue growth during April and May as online orders spiked during the coronavirus lockdown.

Spanish wine producer Codorníu has announced that Sergio Fuster will take over as chief executive in September.

Bacardi has appointed Andy J Gibson to the role of chief marketing officer and president of Bacardi Global Brands.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the lead body for the UK wine and spirits sectors, has announced the appointment of Miles Beale as its new chief executive.

Diageo has appointed Ivan Menezes to the newly created role of chief operating officer. Menezes is currently president Diageo North America and chairman of Diageo Asia Pacific and Diageo Latin America & Caribbean.  He will take up the role on March 1, 2012.

The board of Alcohol Concern, the anti-alcohol lobby group in the UK, has announced a restructuring of its senior management following the loss of core funding with the role of the CEO becoming part time for a year alongside the recruitment of a full time director of fundraising and campaigning.

New Zealand’s Ara Wines has launched One Estate, a sparkling wine made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, in the UK.

Constellation Brands has named Jay Wright, currently president of its North American division, as its new chief operating officer (COO), effective immediately. In his new role, Wright will oversee marketing, sales and operations across the company. This is the first time Constellation Brands has appointed such a role and a statement from the company said “the creation of the COO role is the latest step in the company's evolution to further refine and streamline its organisation”.

Bill Samuels Jr is to step down as president of Maker’s Mark bourbon.

Stock Spirits has made several new appointments to its senior management team.

Brand marketer, The Paddington Corporation, has announced a joint venture with 3 Amigos Tequila to market its range globally.

Foster's Group has announced that Angus McKay, chief financial officer (CFO) has submitted his resignation and will depart Foster’s towards the end of this year. McKay joined Foster’s in 2004 from Fonterra Australia and was finance director, Foster’s Australia, Asia and Pacific, before taking up the CFO role in January 2008.

Australia: Former police chief commissioner Christine Nixon has stepped down from the Foster’s Group board.