Spirits company Quintessential Brands Group has appointed Alex Pollard as its new Chief Finance Officer (CFO) as the company looks to accelerate the growth of its business internationally.
Pollard brings with him over 20 years’ experience of business transformation in senior finance roles within the FMCG and pharma/biotech industries. He joins Quintessential Brands Group following three years as CFO at AB Mauri, a $1.3bn division of Associated British Foods (ABF). His previous FMCG experience includes three years as Regional Finance Director for the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company.
Pollard also spent five years at Pharma/Biotech company, Gilead Sciences, where he played a key role in the transformation of the company’s European business, setting up various European operations, the first of which he grew from $100m to $500m in two years, before delivering similar success with the company’s French and Northern European business units.
At Quintessential Brands, Pollard will be responsible for “optimising the group’s global finance function, using his extensive, regional and international leadership experience to help the company deliver its continued growth ambitions”.
His appointment follows the recent hires of Tim Nuttall as Finance Director – UK & France and Alan Morris, CFO for Ireland. Pollard succeeds Roger Lowe who is leaving the business in April to “pursue new opportunities” following two years in the role.
Group CEO Warren Scott commented: “Following the rapid growth of our business over the last eight years in the UK and Ireland, we now have our sights firmly set on accelerating our global growth strategy. Alex is a seasoned business leader and brings with him a wealth of global finance expertise that I’m confident will help to further strengthen our organisation. I’m delighted to welcome him to the Quintessential Brands team.”
Quintessential Brands has grown rapidly since it was established in 2011. It now has a wide portfolio of premium gins, including Greenall’s, Bloom, Thomas Dakin, and Opihr, as well as some Irish whiskey and liqueur brands.
NAM Implications:
- Competitors, please anticipate Quintessential Brands adopting a more financial approach to trade investment.
- i.e. NAMs upskilled in calculating cost and demonstrating value to retailers’ P&L and balance sheets.
- At least…
