Distil Regulatory News (DIS)

13 Apr 2006 07:00

Blavod Extreme Spirits PLC13 April 2006 Blavod Extreme Spirits Plc 13 April 2006 Directorate Change Blavod Extreme Spirits Plc ("Blavod" or "the Company") is pleased to announcethe appointment of Anthony Gerard Murphy as Chief Financial Officer and FinanceDirector with immediate effect. He succeeds Fred Read, who has assumed other responsibilities within the company. Anthony, 48, joins Blavod with extensive industry experience. Most recently hewas Director of Financial Reporting and Planning at Diageo North America's Wine Division, which had revenues in excess of £230 million. Prior to that Anthony was the Corporate Controller for Pacific Wine Partners, a Constellation Brands Company, which had revenues inexcess of £130 million. In these roles he undertook wide-ranging responsibilities including: ensuring compliance with Sarbanes Oxley, internal and external financial reporting, product line rationalization, bulk wine and spirits purchasing and strategic financial planning. Anthony is a New Zealand national, and graduated from the University of Aucklandwith a degree in Finance & Accounting. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in New Zealand and spent the first 6 years of his career in New Zealand, before moving in 1998 to the USA where he has been based ever since. Jeffrey Hopmayer, CEO of Blavod, said "We are delighted that Anthony has agreedto join us, his strong industry background will bring an extra dimension to Blavod's managerial team. This is an ideal time for someone of Anthony's experience to join us, as we look to develop a number of opportunities to grow our existing wine and spirits portfolio, both organically and through acquisition." Current Directorships: None Previous Directorships: None There is no further information that is required to be disclosed under Schedule2, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules. Enquiries: Blavod Extreme SpiritsJeff Hopmayer, Chief Executive Officer 001 615 771 9111 Brewin Dolphin SecuritiesMark Brady, Director - Corporate Finance 0113 241 0130 Cardew GroupTim Robertson/Catherine Maitland 020 7930 0777 Background on Blavod Extreme Spirits Blavod Extreme Spirits, plc (LSE:BES), is an international spirits company basedin London with U.S. offices in Franklin, Tenn. Formed by the 2003 merger of Blavod Black Vodka plc and Extreme Beverage Company, Blavod Extreme Spirits produces and sells its black-coloured vodka, aptly called Blavod, throughout the world. BES also produces and sells the award-winning, intensely flavoured line of Players Extreme vodkas and rums. In the United States, BES is the exclusive distributor of an elite wine portfolio of fine Italian wines. For more information on the company, please visit www.blavodextreme.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange