Ian Atherton has announced he is stepping down as CEO of Spirits Platform.
Atherton will move into the role of Chairman of Spirits Platform, Australia's largest independent spirits distributor.
"When we set up Spirits Platform in 2015, it was always my intention to step down as CEO," Atherton told Drinks Trade.
"My five-year plan involved establishing the business and getting the strategy right, then handing over the day-to-day running of the company and moving into a bigger picture advisory role."
Atherton was previously Managing Director of Suntory Australia until it acquired Beam Inc in 2015.
Spirits Platform was created by its senior management team with joint venture partners Remy Cointreau and Diego Zamora to support the premium, independent brands that exited Suntory Australia following the establishment of Beam Suntory.
Atherton's replacement as Spirits Platform CEO is Mungo Gilchrist, who is currently Managing Director, South-East Asia & Pacific, Remy Cointreau.
"Mungo was instrumental in the establishment of Spirits Platform," Atherton explained.
"As our biggest brand partner, Remy Cointreau played an important role in it being a smooth transition from Suntory and Mungo's pragmatism and drive was invaluable."
Gilchrist has more than 35 years experience in consumer marketing businesses in the Asia Pacific region. He joined Rémy Cointreau in 2008 and has overall responsibility for the group’s business in South East Asia, Australasia and South Korea.
He is current based in Singapore and will move to Australia in April, before commencing his new role with Spirits Platform on October 1.
Atherton a stalwart of the spirits category
Atherton has been a driving force in the Australian spirits industry for more than 35 years.
He started his career in the whisky industry back in the early 80’s where he worked for Gilbeys selling both Scotch and Australian whisky, before he moved to have a long career at Suntory selling Japanese whisky.
In 2016, Atherton joined Spirits Platform as CEO, and today the company distributes a great range of premium spirits and whiskies, including scotch whiskies like The Macallan, Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, Highland Park, Naked Grouse, Octomore and The Glenrothes; Irish whiskeys such as The Irishman and Writers Tears, American Whiskey like Westland and Yellow Rose and also Australian Whisky from NANT, Tasmania.
Ian Atherton was also recently inducted into the “Keepers of The Quaich” in recognition of the many years he has spent promoting scotch whisky in the Australian market.
"My proudest achievement in that time has been helping to build brands from global independent companies," he said.
"My passion is working with businesses that focus on brand rather than share price."
He pointed to Remy Cointreau and Edrington Group as two examples of spirits companies with strong brand values.
Ashley Pini, publisher of Drinks Trade, said: “I greatly admire what Ian has achieved over more than 30 years in our industry. I remember the days of the Midori Ball and the development of Club Suntory, and more recently Ian’s induction as a 'Keeper of the Quaich' (above), a recognition of his work in promoting and developing a number of Scotch Whiskies in Australia.
"His vision for the Spirits Platform business and ability to prepare a strategy, and successfully implement regardless of headwinds, proves he one of the great brand builders. He is perfect for the role of Chairman at Spirits Platform.”
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