By Andy Young
Colin Rochester has told TheShout that his new role at William Grant and Sons is a "great opportunity."
The company has announced that Rochester has been appointed as its new general manager, taking over from Brian Sharp who left in March.
Rochester told TheShout: "It's a great opportunity obviously, and it's a fantastic stable of brands."
He added: "The brands are going to be the real thrill as will be working with a very capable team, as I understand it to be. So I'm pretty excited about it."
Those brands include Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, as well as the recently launched Rare Casks Reserves Collection.
Rochester joins from Think Spirits, where he worked as marketing director and also brings vast industry experience with him to the role, having previously worked as the managing director of Bacardi Lion. He has also held senior sales and general management positions at Bulmer’s Australia and Foster’s Australia.
The WG&S managing director, Chris Mason, said of the appointment: "I am delighted to announce the appointment of Colin Rochester as General Manager – Australia and New Zealand.
"Colin brings a wealth of experience in the beer, wines and spirits industry to William Grant and Sons and joins us at an exciting time for the business."
Rochester's first day with William Grant and Sons will be Monday, 13 April.