Stoli vodka brand owner Stoli Group has a new CEO, Global Drinks Intel has learned, with CFO Chris Caldwell replacing Damian McKinney in the top job this month.
McKinney joined the privately-owned company in late 2020 and helped navigate the vodka brand around Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. The rights to the brand name outside of its home market of Russia were acquired by ‘oligarch’ Yuri Shefler in 1999, with production subsequently moving to Latvia.
Global Drinks Intel has contacted Stoli Group for further details about McKinney’s departure.
Moving up to become the company’s next lead is current CFO Chris Caldwell, who joined Stoli in the role three years ago. Like McKinney, he previously worked for Diageo – McKinney was an “adviser” for seven years at the turn of the century – rising to CFO of the East African Breweries subsidiary until his departure in 2008.
He left UK-based Enotria Winecellars after 16 months as CFO to join Stoli Group.
The company’s next CFO is Artem Pozdnyakov, who moves up from the global financial controller position, which he assumed in November.
Two months ago, the company made a ‘no & low’ play, taking a stake in US-based alcohol-free brand The Pathfinder Hemp & Root.
Can vodka keep tequila off the top spot in North America? – Category Intel
