Distil Regulatory News (DIS)

18 Jan 2005 07:00

Blavod Extreme Spirits PLC18 January 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LSE: BES18 January 2005Press Release Blavod Extreme Spirits Appoints New Chairman FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Blavod Extreme Spirits plc, (LSE:BES), a beverage companyproducing Blavod Black Vodka and the Players Extreme line of vodkas and rums, ispleased to announce the appointment of Colin Campbell, 62, to the position ofNon-Executive Chairman of the Board with effect on January 27, 2005. Theprevious chairman, Allan Shiach, who served as Chairman since shortly prior tothe initial AIM market listing, is, as planned, retiring from the Board witheffect on January 17, 2005. Mr. Campbell recently retired having spent the whole of his career at MoetHennessy. He worked primarily in Sales and Distribution focusing on the UnitedStates and Asia. His last position was Commercial Managing Director. Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Jeffrey Hopmayer, Chief Executive of BES,said: "I am delighted that following an extensive search, we have appointedColin Campbell as Chairman of Blavod Extreme. Colin is highly regarded in thebeverage industry and brings with him a wealth of marketing and operationalexperience as well as an intimate knowledge of the high-end consumer. I lookforward to working closely with Colin to drive our business through this stageof growth. I would like to thank Allan Shiach for his dedication and guidance inhis role as Chairman since our initial AIM listing. I wish him well in hisfuture endeavors." Mr. Shiach added: "Having reached an age when I think it is appropriate tostep down from all my corporate involvements, I am sad to be leaving BES at thevery time when the potential of the company is poised to be fruitfully realized.Our new chairman, Colin Campbell, brings immense experience of successful brandbuilding and marketing to a Board that already consists of expert management inthis field. I thank my colleagues for having made the past few years soenjoyable at both the personal and professional levels and wish them all thesuccess they thoroughly deserve for the future." There is no further information to be disclosed in accordance with paragraph (f)of Schedule Two of the AIM Rules, nor are there further disclosures to be madeunder paragraph 15 of the AIM Rules in respect of the appointment of ColinCampbell. Note to editors:Blavod Extreme Spirits plc, (LSE:BES), established in 2003, is a London-basedand publicly traded company with U.S. subsidiary offices, Blavod Extreme SpiritsUSA, Inc., headquartered in Franklin, Tenn. The BES portfolio includes theaward-winning Players Extreme line featuring Five Times Distilled Vodka alongwith intensely infused Green Apple, Cherry, Lemon, Mandtango (mandarin/tangerine) and Caramel vodkas. Players Extreme also offers flavor-infused rums -Banana, Coconut and Mango. Blavod launched Blavod Black Vodka in 1998 and hasestablished a strong UK and U.S. sales network. BES also represents a wineportfolio including Italian estates, Baroncini and Bruno Rocca, among others. -End- For further information, please contact: BES plcJeff Hopmayer, Chief Executive Tel: +1 615 771 9111jshopmayer@blavodextreme.com www.blavodextreme.com Evolution SecuritiesTom Price Tel: +44 (0)20 7071 4300tom.price@evosecurities.com www.evosecurities.com Media inquiries:DSPRDonna Schwartze Tel: +1 314 330 3488donnaschwartze@earthlink.net This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange