International Beverage appoints Cara Chambers to Marketing Director Role – Scotch Whisky News
International Beverage appoints Cara Chambers to Marketing Director Role
Global drinks business International Beverage Holdings has today (Tuesday 9th October) announced the appointment of Cara Chambers to the post of Marketing Director.
Based at the company’s Scotch whisky subsidiary Inver House Distillers in Airdrie, Mrs Chambers is tasked with leading marketing and innovation for International Beverage’s award-winning spirits portfolio, which includes the Old Pulteney, anCnoc, Speyburn and Balblair single malt whisky brands, Hankey Bannister blended Scotch, as well as Scotland’s leading super premium gin Caorunn.
She brings 25 years’ experience working for some of the UK’s leading blue chip companies to the position, as well as a strong track record in implementing successful brand marketing strategies for global drinks companies, including Heineken and Whyte & Mackay.
Commenting on her appointment, Mrs Chambers said: ‘I have heard so many positive things about the International Beverage business, its people and its brilliant brands, and I am thrilled to have been appointed to the post. The opportunity to work closely with the team in Scotland, whilst also being part of the company’s international business framework, is a very appealing prospect. It’s a chance for me to learn within a dynamic global team, and to deliver plans to take these successful brands to the next level. I am really looking forward to the challenge.’
Inver House Distillers Managing Director Martin Leonard added: ‘We are entering a very exciting period for our business, with the channels in place to grow our brands in markets around the world. The position of Marketing Director is critical to delivering our ambitious plans, and Cara brings outstanding qualities, skills and experience to the task. She is a great fit for our business and a most welcome addition to our growing team.’
Mrs Chambers began her career in the drinks industry, starting at United Distillers (Diageo), Scottish Courage – where she became Marketing Manager for its cider portfolio – and Scottish & Newcastle / Heineken UK, where she rose to become Head of Innovation.
After a period working in consultancy, Mrs Chambers returned to the drinks industry as Marketing Director for Whyte & Mackay, before moving to Sainsbury’s Bank as Head of Customer and Brand Development, leading a brand, communications and innovation strategy at a pivotal point in the company’s development. Latterly, she was European Marketing Director of Baxters Food Group.
She is a qualified business coach and a fellow of the Marketing Society.
International Beverage Holdings Ltd
International Beverage Holdings Ltd is one of the drinks industry’s most dynamic global businesses. Established in 2006 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thaibev, the company operates as its international business arm, specialising in the development of premium local spirits for the global market. Its success is built on a strong understanding of local cultures and markets within a worldwide business network. Based in Hong Kong with regional offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, the USA and UK, the company is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of a portfolio of premium brands in over 85 markets. These brands are built on character, craftsmanship and quality, led by a range of award-winning Scotch whiskies and an array of vibrant beers and spirits. These include:
- Single malt Scotch whiskies Old Pulteney, Balblair, anCnoc and Speyburn
- Blended Scotch Hankey Bannister
- Caorunn, Scotland’s leading super premium gin
- Mekhong, ‘The Spirit of Thailand’ since 1941
- Chang Beer, Thailand’s iconic beer brand
Inver House Distillers is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Beverage Holdings Ltd, producing its Scotch whiskies and gin at five distilleries around Scotland: Pulteney, Speyburn, Knockdhu, Balblair and Balmenach. Inver House is also highly active in the warehousing and blending of Scotch whisky, with warehousing for 500,000 barrels and state of the art blending and laboratory facilities at its headquarters in Airdrie. The business has won many prestigious accolades over the years, including the Icons of Whisky Distiller of the Year Award for Scotland (2017).
Focus brands
Old Pulteney, ‘The Maritime Malt’, is crafted in the windswept coastal town of Wick at Pulteney Distillery – established in 1826 and one of the most northerly on the Scottish mainland. ‘Pulteneytown’ once housed 7000 fishermen during Wick’s famous herring boom, and Old Pulteney is the embodiment of this place, its people and its remarkable history. Crafted using the most time-honoured techniques, Old Pulteney recently launched a new core range featuring flagship 12 Years Old, Huddart, 15 and 18 Years Old. www.oldpulteney.com
Speyburn Distillery was established in 1897 by John Hopkins at Rothes in the heart of Speyside. The beautiful natural environment of this location, combined with traditional methods of production and a quest for innovation, produce a whisky that symbolises all that is special about the great Speyside region. Speyburn currently has three core expressions – Bradan Orach, 10 and 15 Years Old. www.speyburn.com
Balblair Distillery is one of the oldest working distilleries in the Scottish Highlands, built in 1790 and sitting on the original site to this day. Balblair whiskies are released as vintage expressions, only when they have reached their exact point of ‘optimum maturation’, the peak of perfection. www.balblair.com
anCnoc is produced at Knockdhu Distillery, built in 1894 and one of the smallest and most enchanting in the Scottish Highlands. It is renowned by malt enthusiasts worldwide for bringing a contemporary twist to the traditions of fine malt whisky, producing a single malt that is accessible and versatile for all occasions. www.ancnoc.com
Hankey Bannister is crafted from a blend of fine single malts from the five Inver House distilleries, producing a smooth and distinctive blend that is true to the original recipe of its historic founders – the flamboyant Mr Beaumont Hankey and his astute business partner, Mr Hugh Bannister. The whiskies of these eighteenth century pioneers were awarded royal warrants under King George V and Edward VII and were enjoyed by the likes of Winston Churchill and the Prince Regent William IV. www.hankeybannister.com
