Matt Billinghurst has joined William Grant & Sons UK in the role of Commercial Director UK & Ireland.
The appointment follows a top-level reshuffle at the distiller, which saw Neil Barker take on the role of Managing Director (UK&I), while Rita Greenwood stepped up to Managing Director (EMEA).
Billinghurst joins from PepsiCo, where he most recently held the role of Tesco Sales Director, responsible for leading the commercial agenda across multiple categories and markets. Prior to that he progressed through various senior roles during a career which spans over a decade across a wide range of trade channels, including leading the development of PepsiCo’s UK Snacks Strategy with portfolio launches into snacking crackers and popcorn.
Neil Barker commented: “I’m delighted that someone of Matt’s calibre is joining William Grant & Sons at such an exciting time in our Premium Spirits growth journey – his experience of advanced multi-channel customer partnering is second to none and Matt’s ambition to develop our business in new trade channels can already be felt.”
Matt Billinghurst added: “I’ve already been impressed by the drive of William Grant & Sons UK to be a progressive Premium Spirits leader whilst maintaining the quality, passion and heritage of a five-generation family business. It’s clear that I have joined a dynamic UK team and I’m excited to accelerate the commercial agenda with all our customer partners in the future.”
