Ambrunn will be responsible for the pan-regional commercial development of the SPI group portfolio, with a focus on Stolichnaya and the ultra-luxury ‘elit by Stolichnaya’.

SPI global commercial director, Robert Cullins, said: "Romain’s previous Asia Pacific experience – coupled with deep expertise within the beverage industry – will be instrumental in developing Stolichnaya and elit by Stolichnaya, within key markets and further building its regional and global success.”

Ambrunn joins SPI from Group Belvedere – Marie Brizard, where he was the regional director of the AsPac region. Previous to Belvedere, Ambrunn worked in Asia with GBH Group and has also held increasingly senior roles in the automotive industry with Audi and Peugeot as well as with Illy Coffee in the US. He will be based in Shanghai and report directly to Cullins.