Premium spirits major Beam Suntory has announced the appointment of Robbie Millar as managing director of the Scotch & Irish Brand House, overseeing a brand portfolio that includes Laphroaig, Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Kilbeggan.
“Beam Suntory is building global brands that consumers love, and our Brand House managing directors play a critical role in that journey,” said Jessica Spence, president of brands at Beam Suntory. “Robbie is an exceptional, commercially astute leader who will steer, alongside a superb team, our Scotch and Irish Brand House into an ever-stronger position. More sustainable and more premium and always, always with our consumers and customers at the heart of our plans.”
Millar is an experienced leader with a 20-year career in the premium spirits and beer industry and a track record for building global brands. He joins from Carlsberg, where he served as VP Global Marketing, managing the company’s two largest brands – Carlsberg and Tuborg.
Prior to Carlsberg, Millar served as Global Director, Category Development for SAB Miller, Senior Partner and Managing Director for Kantar Consulting, and Managing Director for Compass Box Whisky.
“The remit I have here at Beam Suntory in leading this amazing house is hugely exciting and I recognise the responsibility it comes with,” said Millar. “I am a custodian of iconic Scotch & Irish whiskies and have a duty to build these brands for the benefit of all our people, consumers, customers and the local communities in which we operate. Underpinning all our work - fuelling our continued success - will be a deep belief in craft, quality and sustainability.”
The company said Millar’s appointment further strengthens its Brand House leadership, which includes end-to-end P&L management. Earlier this month, Beam Suntory announced the appointment of company veteran Carlo Coppola as managing director of the James B. Beam Distilling Co. Brand House.
Millar, a native of Scotland, will be relocating to the UK for the role. He will spend the majority of his time directly in Scotland to be close to Beam Suntory’s brand heritage and build relationships with the wider whisky community and trade.
