January 26/Hamilton, Bermuda/Asia Pulse -- Bacardi Limited announced with immediate effect the internal appointment of Jon Grey as regional president of the newly created Middle East & Africa (ME&A) region. Grey is responsible for all operations for Bacardi's internationally known portfolio of premium spirits in the region.

"Jon's proven track record of business success, transformational leadership and innovation on a global level, as well as his industry knowledge and truly entrepreneurial spirit, will have an immediate impact in this growing region for Bacardi," said Shamus McBride, president and chief executive officer of Bacardi Limited. "This internal appointment demonstrates the seasoned leadership currently within Bacardi and the company's ability to nurture and grow talented leaders."

With Bacardi since 2005, Grey will continue his role as senior vice president of Global Operations responsible for all global supply chain, brand product production procurement, and research and development (R&D) activities and head the company's Corporate Responsibility (CR) platform and global initiatives.

"The Middle East & Africa is a distinct region which necessitates an emerging market strategy of providing strong support to the existing team while introducing a more entrepreneurial-style approach into the region to take the core portfolio of brands to a new level," said Grey. "We have built a strong, efficient team in Global Operations and are very proud of the successes achieved. I look forward to the same accomplishments in this new role."

Previously, Grey served as the director of Group Supply Chain and Logistics for The Big Food Group plc, responsible for all supply chain and distribution activities, and also served as managing director for its Internet retail business. He also spent nearly 16 years in the Mars organization in a number of senior roles across operations, supply chain and new product development in the confectionery and pet food business units.

This appointment and the announced appointment of Robert Furniss-Roe as regional president of Latin America rounds out the regional executive leadership team of Stefan Bomhard as regional president of Europe, Harold Dyrvik as Asia-Pacific regional president and John Esposito as North America regional president.

From the February 7, 2011, Prepared Foods E-dition