Whisky Tasmania Limited, owner of Hellyers Road Distillery, has announced the appointment of former Campari Australia MD Simon Durrant to the board as a non-executive director.
Bringing to the job more than three decades of global experience in premium beverages, Durrant has a strong record of commercial leadership and brand growth across some of the world’s best known spirit companies.
Durrant reflected on the brand’s legacy and expressed enthusiasm for its ambitions for the future.
“Hellyers Road is one of Australia’s great whisky stories,” he said. “There’s substance here – real heritage, remarkable stock and a serious ambition for the future. I’m delighted to be joining the Board at such an exciting time.”
During his time at Campari, Durrant led the team across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and saw the business through a period of sustained growth and change – doubling sales, deepening customer engagement and building a workplace culture that was consistently recognised as one of the best in the industry.
His previous roles include senior positions at Diageo, Accolade Wines and Clorox ANZ. Durrant is currently a non-executive director of Sydney Rum Distillery and a board advisor to Solbevi, a Melbourne based beverage start up.
The chair of Whisky Tasmania Limited, Lesley French welcomes Durrant’s experience and knowledge to the company.
“Simon’s depth of experience in the global drinks industry and his track record of strategic leadership make him a natural fit for Hellyers Road,” French said.
“He understands the opportunity for Australian single malt on the world stage – and how to build the capability to seize it.”
This appointment is set to strengthen the governance of Whisky Tasmania Limited as it continues to expand the distillery’s presence in Australia and abroad. It follows the appointment of CEO Derek Charge and two independent directors in late 2022.
