Board Changes - update

Summary by AI BETAClose X

Distil Plc has confirmed that David Smith has officially joined the board as Chief Executive Officer, completing previously announced board changes. Smith brings over 25 years of experience in the drinks industry, having held leadership roles at companies like Diageo and The West Indies Rum Distillery, and successfully transforming Fielden Whisky. His expertise includes driving growth in ready-to-drink cocktails and building brands in export markets, which is expected to contribute to Distil's next phase of growth.

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Distil PLC
17 August 2026
 

Distil Plc

17 August 2026

Board changes - update

Distil Plc (AIM:DIS), confirms that, further to the notification of 15 July 2026, David Smith has today joined the board as Chief Executive Officer, completing the board changes announced by the Company on 15 July 2026

David has over 25 years of drinks experience working for IDV, Diageo, the West Indies Rum Distillery and most recently The Oxford Artisan Distillery. David was initially Executive Chairman and then CEO of Fielden Whisky over a 5-year period, transforming it from a founder-led artisanal distillery to a purpose-led business. Securing two rounds of angel investor funding and then in November 2022, merging the distillery with its grain supply partner to create an entity which secured investment from Diageo via its Distill Ventures investment vehicle.

He drove significant growth at Diageo via Smirnoff Mule, one of the forerunners of the RTD (ready-to-drink) cocktail business, and as Regional Director North America for Malibu. David has also built brands in export markets at the West Indies Rum Distillery and been involved in the 0% ABV category, launching and building new brands in the UK market.

Philip Naughton, Non-Executive Chairman of Distil, commented:

"David brings extensive experience of the premium drinks industry. I'm delighted to welcome him and I look forward to working closely with him and the wider team to deliver the Company's next phase of growth."

David Smith, CEO of Distil, commented:

"I have always been very impressed by Distil's levels of innovation and the quality of its products. I'm very excited to meet the team and build on the great platform that Don and they have created and to take the business on the next stage of its journey."

For further information:

Distil Plc


Philip Naughton, Non-Executive Chairman

 

Tel: +44 203 283 4006

SPARK Advisory Partners Limited

(NOMAD)


Neil Baldwin

Mark Brady

Tel: +44 203 368 3550

Allenby Capital Ltd

(Broker)


James Reeve/Jos Pinnington/Matt Butlin

Tel: +44 (0)20 3328 5656

 

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