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Rene Lek |
SPI Group has announced several management changes, starting with the appointment of new Chief Financial Officer Rene Lek. He replaces Sebastiaan Boelen who – after six years with SPI Group – is moving to the UK to pursue private interests.
Previously CFO of Coca-Cola Hellenic in Russia, Lek has global experience working as a CFO in companies such as Pepsico, Xerox Corporation and Shell, in countries including USA, Brazil, Russia, Norway and the Netherlands. He brings to SPI Group a wealth of experience in the drinks and alcohol industry including distribution of alcoholic beverages. Besides English and his native Dutch, Lek speaks Russian, French, German, Portuguese and Norwegian languages.
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Rob Cullins |
Rob Cullins has also been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Stoli Group and John Esposito to the board of Stoli Group.
Commenting on the new appointments, SPI Group CEO Val Mendeleev said: “From the time I joined our company in August 2008 as SPI Group CEO and Stoli Group CEO, we have made a huge progress in developing and expanding Stoli as a premium, international vodka business. Since we left Pernod Ricard as a global Stoli distributor, we have established a new sales and brand management structure, new distributor relationships in nearly 180 markets, and more recently set up our own distribution business in the US.
“In this journey, I was supported by Rob Cullins, who since joining Stoli Group as International Commercial Director in August 2011, has further spearheaded Stoli’s global reach.
“Also, in the US, John Esposito, who joined Stoli Group USA in January 2013 as its first President, built the team and sales infrastructure, preparing the company for future growth.
“As the Group is now well positioned to benefit from further expansion, we are considering acquisitions of new spirits and wine brands, and entry into new categories. In order to facilitate further organic and corporate development of our group, we aim to improve the division of strategic and operational activities of our top management.”
As Stoli Group CEO, Cullins – who continues to be based in Luxembourg – will oversee Stoli’s global sales, marketing and logistics operations.
Val Mendeleev will continue to oversee Stoli as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Stoli Group, and also deal with strategic and M&A aspects of the business. The Board will also include the new SPI Group CFO Rene Lek and SPI Group Chief Legal Officer Ron Surbey. Also joining the Stoli Group Board will be John Esposito, who will be based in the New York office.
In the US, a new President of Stoli Group USA will soon be recruited, reporting to Stoli Group CEO Rob Cullins. Stoli Group USA activities will also be assisted and supervised by John Esposito in his new capacity as Chairman of Stoli Group USA.
