The Board of Directors of Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, today announced the departure of president and chief executive officer Ed Shirley. Mr. Shirley expressed his plans to return to retirement after a successful 36-year career.
An interim CEO will be announced shortly and will serve until a successor is appointed. Pending that announcement, the executive leadership team will report to Facundo L. Bacardi, the Company’s chairman, and a fifth-generation member of the Bacardi family.
“Ed leaves Bacardi a stronger organization from his dedication to the Company and its brands,” said Mr. Bacardi. “We thank Ed for his commitment and passion to Bacardi and we all wish him well.”
During his tenure with Bacardi Limited, Mr. Shirley helped reignite the Company’s global marketing with new campaigns for BACARDÍ® rum, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, GREY GOOSE® vodka and MARTINI® vermouth and Italian sparkling wines. Also during his time with Bacardi, the Company acquired one of the hottest new brands in the industry with the addition of ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur to the Bacardi portfolio of premium spirits.
About Bacardi Limited
Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, the world’s best-selling and most-awarded rum, as well as the world’s most-awarded spirit; GREY GOOSE® vodka, the world’s leading super-premium vodka; DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, the world’s most-awarded blended Scotch; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, the top-valued and fastest-growing premium gin in the world; MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, the world’s leading vermouth and the world´s favorite Italian sparkling wines; CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, one of the most popular premium tequilas in Mexico and the United States; and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S®, the fastest-growing global Scotch whisky brand; ERISTOFF® vodka, one of the fastest-growing vodka brands in the world; and ST-GERMAIN®, a super-premium elderflower liqueur.
Founded 152 years ago in Santiago de Cuba on February 4, 1862, family-owned Bacardi employs nearly 6,000 people, manufactures its brands at 27 facilities and sells in more than 150 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.
