HAMILTON, Bermuda--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, today announces with immediate effect the internal appointment of Jon Grey as Regional President of the newly created Middle East & Africa (ME&A) region. Mr. Grey is responsible for all operations for Bacardi’s internationally known portfolio of premium spirits in the region.

“Jon’s proven track record of business success, transformational leadership and innovation on a global level, as well as his industry knowledge and truly entrepreneurial spirit will have an immediate impact in this growing region for Bacardi,” said Séamus McBride, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bacardi Limited. “This internal appointment demonstrates the seasoned leadership currently within Bacardi and the Company’s ability to nurture and grow talented leaders.”

With Bacardi since 2005, Mr. Grey will continue his role as Senior Vice President of Global Operations responsible for all global supply chain, brand product production procurement, and research and development (R&D) activities and head the Company’s industry-leading Corporate Responsibility (CR) platform and global initiatives.

Under Mr. Grey’s leadership, Bacardi was certified to be operating in accordance with the world’s most recognized standards for quality, environment, and health and safety. Bacardi is the only major spirits company to achieve certification under ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 for all its production facilities globally, putting the company among an elite group of the world’s best-run companies. Most recently, he led a team to create the largest wind turbine installation in Puerto Rico designed to harness natural wind energy to help power Bacardi’s top global distillery near San Juan. In addition, during the last five years, Mr. Grey has overseen the creation of the Bacardi Global Operations team and the transformation of its performance.

“The Middle East & Africa is a distinct region which necessitates an emerging market strategy of providing strong support to the existing team while introducing a more entrepreneurial-style approach into the region to take the core portfolio of brands to a new level,” said Mr. Grey. “We have built a strong, efficient team in Global Operations and are very proud of the successes achieved. I look forward to the same accomplishments in this new role.”

Previously, Mr. Grey served as the Director of Group Supply Chain and Logistics for The Big Food Group plc, responsible for all supply chain and distribution activities, and also served as Managing Director for its Internet retail business. He also spent nearly 16 years in the Mars organization in a number of senior roles across operations, supply chain and new product development in the confectionery and pet food business units.

This appointment and the today announced appointment of Robert Furniss-Roe as Regional President of Latin America rounds out the regional executive leadership team of Stefan Bomhard as Regional President of Europe, Harold Dyrvik as Asia-Pacific Regional President and John Esposito as North America Regional President.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited is the largest privately held spirits company in the world and produces and markets a variety of internationally-recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited brand portfolio consists of more than 200 brands and labels, including some of the world’s favorite and best-known products: BACARDI^® rum, the world’s favorite premium rum and world’s most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE^® vodka, the world-leader in super premium vodka; DEWAR’S^® Scotch whisky, the top-selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE^® gin, the top valued and fastest-growing premium gin in the world; MARTINI^® vermouth and sparkling wines, the world-leader in vermouth; CAZADORES^® blue agave tequila, the top-selling premium tequila in the world; and other leading brands. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. www.bacardilimited.com

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