Stoli Group appoints new Global CEO

Stoli Group has appointed Hugues Pietrini as its new Global CEO effective immediately.

Pietrini has spent 20 years in the food and drink industry and joins Stoli from Moët Hennessy, where he served as executive vice president of distribution. His previous roles include an eight-year stint at Orangina Schweppes as president and CEO of France and Belgium, having formerly held the role of marketing, research and development director at the company.

This appointment will not be his first role with the brand as in the acquisition of Allied Domecq by Pernod Ricard, he became vice president of the Stolichnaya Brand Organisation from 2005 to 2006.

Commenting on his new position, Pietrini said: “Over the last two years, the iconic Stoli brand has been in the midst of a rejuvenation among consumers and the trade.”

“When I looked at the position of our vodkas and the opportunity for growth with all the premium and super-premium categories that the group has recently entered, my decision was made without hesitation. I’m looking forward to building on the team’s recent successes in developing the Stoli and elit brands across the world, and to launching Bayou Rum and KAH Tequila next in key global markets.”

The organisation has expanded its range of products recently, having taken on the distribution and marketing for Achaval-Ferrer and Arinzano wines in 2015, Bayou Rum in 2016, and for KAH Tequila and Kentucky Owl Bourbon at the start of this year.

Pietrini will be based at the company’s global headquarters in Luxembourg.