Experienced drinks industry executive Lesley Jackson is joining family-owned Scotch whisky distiller William Grant & Sons as finance director - a move which brings her back from India to her home in the Scottish Borders.
She replaces Alex Short, who was on January 28 named successor to Iain Greenock as finance director of publicly-quoted Irn-Bru manufacturer AG Barr.
Jackson has most recently been chief financial officer of United Breweries Limited, the Indian beer company headed by entrepreneur Vijay Mallya, which linked up with Scottish & Newcastle.
One of India's highest-profile businessmen, Mallya owns Glasgow-based whisky company Whyte & Mackay. Scottish & Newcastle was acquired recently by Danish brewer Carlsberg and Heineken of the Netherlands.
Jackson previously held senior finance roles at HP Bulmer, the cider-maker bought by Scottish & Newcastle in 2003.
William Grant said Jackson would join it on August 4 and sit on its supervisory board and executive group, reporting to chief executive Roland van Bommel.
The distiller highlighted the fact that its latest recruit had "more than 20 years' experience in dynamic FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) organisations", and also flagged Jackson's experience in business development and e-commerce.
A spokesman for William Grant said Short had left the distiller at the end of May to start with AG Barr.
The spokesman added that Jackson had a "place at Peebles" and William Grant said she would work out of its office near Glasgow.
William Grant said Jackson was a "keen walker, gardener and clay-pigeon shooter". It noted that she had, during her time in India, been an "active supporter and fundraiser for a local orphanage for girls".
Van Bommel said: "With her wealth of experience and proven track record in dynamic international finance roles, Lesley will be a valuable addition to our executive team. As we continue to develop the business through the organic growth of our core brands and focus on creating new revenue streams through new brands and acquisition, Lesley will play a key role in driving our strategy to ensure continued growth as an independent family-owned company."
In 2006, William Grant made pre-tax profits of £77.8m on an increased turnover of £412.8m.
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