The company announced on Monday that Madhavan, 54, who is a 20-year Bacardi veteran will  take charge as the CEO from April 1, 2018.  He will succeed Michael J Dolan, who is set to retire from the post on the same date. 

Founded 155 years ago in Santiago de Cuba on February 4, 1862, family-owned Bacardi manufactures 200 brands of alcohol and sells in more than 160 countries. With this, Madhavan will become the second Indian to head a global liquor giant.

Here is all you need to know about the company’s new CEO:

• Madhavan, an MBA from SP Jain Institute of Management, grew up in Mumbai but his family hails from Kannur in Kerala. He has worked with range of companies including Mazagon Dock, Tata Electric as well as advertising firm FCB Ulka and alcohol giant Diageo in the past, reports The Times of India.
• He has held leading roles within various emerging markets including Managing Director of India, Managing Director for Thailand and the Philippines, and Managing Director of South Asia and Southeast Asia.

• Madhavan will immediately assume the role of Regional President of Europe of Bacardi,  and will be based in Geneva until he assumes the role of CEO. He is then expected to move to the company’s global headquarters in Bermuda, subject to immigration approvals.
• Facundo L. Bacardi, Chairman of the Board of Bacardi Limited, says he has the ‘the ideal mix of leadership skills, commercial, operational and financial expertise, and global brands experience who understands Bacardi’s  culture, history, and values.’
•  He is currently a member of the Company’s Global Leadership Team and is the Regional President of Asia, Middle East & Africa.
• Madhavan is best known for his role in the development of white spirits category in the 1990s in India and also for introducing Smirnoff vodka in India, reports Money Control.

(With inputs from Bacardi Limited)

(Feature image source: Twitter| Top Shelf Direct)