Marius Fouché, who has been at the company for 22 years, will take up the post on September 1.

According to Distell, the division has been performing "exceptionally well, increasing sales volumes by double digits for the year to June 30 and outperforming the category".

Fouché's appointment will see present general manager of Distell Duty Free, Robyn Bradshaw, focus more on marketing. Distell said  Bradshaw succeeded in "more than doubling sales volumes between her appointment in 2007 and June this year and in taking company flagship, Amarula Cream, to 36th spot in global travel retail".  


Bradshaw added: "We need additional expertise to unlock further potential in travel retail, particularly with the growth of Distell's spirits portfolio and the growing profile of our drive wine brands, notably Nederburg. "Marius comes with extensive global experience."


His appointment comes in the wake of Distell's recent acquisition of Burn Stewart Distillers, bringing brands such as single malts Bunnahabhain, Deanston, Tobermory and Ledaig as well as several blended scotches, into its portfolio.


Distell is to occupy stand E30 Yellow Village at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes in October 2013.