Mr Brian Duffy, the managing director of Guinness Ireland Group, is to head up the new Irish operation created by the merger of Guinness and United Distillers and Vintners business in Ireland. Diageo, the parent of both companies, announced last month that it was to combine them on a worldwide basis as part of a large-scale restructuring.
Gilbeys, the main UDV business in Ireland, will now report to Mr Duffy along with Guinness Ireland Group. Mr Jim Clerkin, the current managing director of Gilbeys - which distributes Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker and other UDV spirit brands - will remain in his position until September when his new role will be announced, a spokesman for Gilbeys last night said.
R&A Bailey, which produces the Irish cream liquor of the same name will remain an independent operation reporting directly to Diageo in London.
Mr Duffy has been managing director of Guinness Group Ireland for the last two years. Prior to his appointment he worked for Guinness in Jamaica and Northern Ireland.
The company announced a number of other appointments yesterday. Mr Allen Peeters, the Guinness executive who has been closely involved in the restructuring of the Irish operations with the loss of 390 jobs, has been promoted to managing director global supply of the new enlarged group.
In a round of senior appointments announced last week, the chairman of Guinness Group Ireland, Mr Colin Storm was appointed chief executive officer of Burger King, the Diageo subsidiary which is to be floated later this year.
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