Inver House Distillers has appointed Martin Leonard to the position of Managing Director following the news that Graham Stevenson has joined The Glenallachie Consortium, which includes Billy Walker and Trisha Savage, to buy Pernod Ricard Distillery, Glenallachie.
Stevenson will leave Inver House in September, with Leonard taking over the reins. He is the company’s current Operations Director, and has been with the company since 2000. He has held the post of Operations Director since 2007 with responsibility for the five Inver House Distilleries in Scotland – Pulteney, Balblair, Balmenach, Speyburn and Knockdhu – plus all maturation, blending and bottling, logistics, health and safety and quality assurance across the business.
Prior to this Leonard spent ten years with United Distillers (now Diageo) initially as a Research Scientist and laterally in operations and procurement. He is also a Director and former Chairman of the Scotch Whisky Research Institute; a member of the Operations Committee of the Scotch Whisky Association and Chairman of its Customs & Excise Committee; and a Keeper of the Quaich.
Commenting on his appointment Mr Leonard said, ‘After 17 years with the Inver House Distillers business I am very much looking forward to taking up this new position, bringing my experience and knowledge of working in every aspect of operations to the role. My ambition is to continue the dedicated leadership of Graham Stevenson, who leaves our business and brands in excellent shape for future growth and success.’
