By Andy Young
Diageo Australia has appointed Corporate Relations and Legal Director Kylie McPherson to the role of Chair of the Bundaberg Distilling Company.
The move is effective from 1 July and means McPherson will oversee Bundaberg’s innovation and business strategy, operations as well as the award-winning Visitor Experience.
“It’s a great honour to Chair one of Australia’s most iconic and loved brands. Bundaberg Rum is a vital contributor to the local economy and we’re one of the Burnett region’s largest employers,” McPherson said.
“While retaining its authentically Australian spirit, I’m proud that Bundaberg has led the way in innovation with the recent launch of Lazy Bear, a mid-strength rum, ginger beer and lime premix in response to consumer trends; and the $8.5 million upgrade to the Visitor Experience which attracts more than 75,000 tourists to the region each year.”
McPherson, who joined Diageo Australia in September 2011, will add the new responsibilities to her existing role, in which she oversees Diageo Australia’s legal affairs, stakeholder engagement and government relations, regulatory issues, corporate relations, Alcohol in Society and public policy strategies. As well as also sitting on the Diageo Australia Executive Team, McPherson is Vice Chair of Spirits New Zealand and is a member of the Women in Drinks Council.
The Bundaberg Distilling Co has also continued its support of the local area after donating all April ticket sales for its distillery tour to the Cyclone Debbie Red Cross Appeal. In total more than $90,000 was donated, which will help support those who were impacted by the devastating category four cyclone that ripped through parts of Queensland in March.
McPherson said: “Bundaberg is an iconic Queensland brand and there was no question that we’d support our wider community in its time of need. Bundaberg has a long history of fund raising for the local community having donated more than $700,000 towards flood relief in 2011 and 2013.”