Irish Distillers has announced the appointment of Claire Tolan as its new managing director in Ireland, replacing Louise Ryan, who has taken up the position of managing director of Pernod Ricard’s global gin business unit, The Gin Hub, in London.
In her new role, Tolan will be responsible for the distribution of the full Pernod Ricard portfolio of premium wines and spirits within the Republic of Ireland. Tolan will also join the Irish Distillers Leadership Team, reporting to Conor McQuaid, the new chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers as of July 1.
Having most recently served as managing director brand homes & education at Irish Distillers, Tolan oversaw the €11 million redevelopment of Jameson Distillery Bow Street, where visitor numbers topped more than 350,000 in the first year since it reopened in March 2017.
A graduate of Dublin City University, Tolan began her career in Irish whiskey in 1998 when she joined the Jameson Graduate Programme. She spent time as brand ambassador in San Francisco, going on to hold a number of key commercial roles in the USA before joining the international commercial team for Jameson in 2007.
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