Gibson will be responsible for the “strategic direction” of the company’s spirits portfolio.

He also will serve as a member of the Bacardi Leadership Team and report to Bacardi Limited president and CEO Ed Shirley. Gibson is to join Bacardi in late April and will be based at the Bacardi Global Brands headquarters in London.

Shirley said: “Andy’s proven track record of accomplishment is based on a great marketing and brand-building foundation.”

Most recently, Gibson served as chief marketing officer for Carlton United Brewers.

Before CUB, he worked for Diageo for 13 years. Gibson succeeds Silvia Lagnado, who left Bacardi at the end of 2012.