Stoli Group Bumps Up CFO to Lead Company “Through Growth and Acquisitions”
Stoli Group has announced a reshuffle of leadership roles today, appointing former CFO Chris Caldwell as its new global CEO. Artem Pozdnyakov, who served as Stoli Group’s global financial controller will replace him as chief financial officer. The company also brings in spirits veteran Mark Federighi as president of North America.
The statement made no mention of former CEO, Damian McKinney, who exited the company last month. Regarding his departure McKinney shared via email that after “three fantastic years” with the business the decision to leave was not easy, but it was time to move onto the next challenge in his career. McKinney was named CEO in 2020 and led the group’s rebrand of its flagship vodka brand after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.
“Ensuring continuity of leadership, Chris and Artem, will play pivotal roles as we look to further diversify through acquisitions and brand expansion,” said Yuri Shefler, Stoli founder and owner in a statement. “We are beyond thrilled that Mark will be joining them in support of our aggressive growth goals.”
Stoli Group was established in 2013 with a global spirits and wines portfolio. The group made its first non-alc investment in May by backing The Pathfinder Hemp and Root, a fermented and distilled non-alcoholic amaro.
Caldwell has served as Stoli Group CFO for the past three years. Prior to joining Stoli he was the CFO of UK wine distributor, Enotria & Coe, and held senior positions in Americana Foods, Fonterra Co-Operative Group and Diageo.
Federighi is new to the Stoli team. He was previously chief sales officer of O’Neill Vintners and Distillers, the 10th largest U.S. winery. His resume also includes stints at Young’s Market Company, Campari America and Diageo after spending his first 10 years in the business at E&J Gallo Winery.
Lyre’s Names Paul Gloster as New CEO, Banks $22.9M
Following the completion of non-alcoholic spirits brand Lyre’s latest strategic funding round of nearly $22.9 million last week, the company has appointed former chief marketing officer Paul Gloster as its new CEO, taking over from founder Mark Livings.
Gloster has overseen growth for the Australianin the U.S. since joining the company when it was founded in 2019. Lyre’s said Gloster has been key to delivering the company’s “outstanding growth, brand health and equity position.” He previously held positions at Coca-Cola Amatill as group strategy manager and Pacific Beverages as CMO. Further details regarding Livings’ departure were not provided.
“Our new expanded leadership structure ensures accountability across all our strategic priorities and business functions,” Gloster said in a statement. “I am excited to work with such a capable and passionate team that is energized and ready to lead the business into our next exciting stage.”
The new funding will help the leading non-alc brand meet accelerating global demand, improving its ability to meet global production and driving momentum in key markets Australia, North America, Europe and the Middle East. Lyre’shas continued to see “extraordinary” year-on-year growth in all major markets, according to the company.
The round was led by previous investors, DSquared and Morgan Creek Consumer Fund. The cash injection follows a completed funding round at a $360 million valuation in 2022 and a seed investment of $11.5 million in 2020.
Lyre’s— with its range of 18 alcohol-free spirits, ready-to-drink cocktails and a non-alcoholic sparkling wine— is one of a growing number of non-alcoholic spirit companies angling for a share of the $11 billion no/low beverage alcohol market.
Eyeing Growth in Americas, Campari Promotes Leadership
Campari Group promoted two key executives in the Americas, Melanie Batchelor and Ugo Fiorenzo last week.
Following a recent appointment to managing director of sales and the Rare division for Campari America, Melanie Batchelor will be promoted to managing director of Campari America. In this role she will lead growth and oversee all functions of the U.S. business.
Sales in the Americas (nearly half of company sales) were up organically by 19.5%, as reported by the company’s Q1 earnings. The Rare portfolio debuted last year— a division to grow super-premium-and-above brands in certain U.S. markets.
Since then the group has expanded its agave spirits portfolio with the launch of a new high end tequila in the U.S. and Mexico, and boosted its Kentucky bourbon portfolio by taking a majority stake in Wilderness Trail Distillery.
Batchelor has been with the company for 12 years in various roles.
“However, this role is the most exciting, as the team has built an incredibly strong foundation on which I can help lead continued growth and portfolio premiumization,” she said in a statement.
The appointment coincides with another leadership change: Ugo Fiorenzo, former managing director for the U.S. and Canada, will now take on the role of managing director, business unit Americas. After leading the U.S for the past seven years, Fiorenzo oversaw the company as it doubled its size and led its relocation from San Francisco to New York City.
Now he will lead in-market operations and partnership markets.
Fiorenzo joined Campari America in 2005, and was appointed chairman of the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS) in 2022.