Mahesh Madhavan is CEO of Bacardi

SAN JOSE, CA — Bacardi Limited, among the largest privately-held spirits companies in the world, on October 2 announced that 20-year Bacardi veteran Mahesh Madhavan has officially taken over the reins of chief executive officer (CEO).

Madhavan, who replaces retired Michael Donaltakes, was announced as the CEO successor in March. He will be based at the company’s global headquarters in Bermuda.

In his career with Bacardi, Madhavan, who is originally from Kerala, has led the company’s Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa operations where he was charged with building stronger connections between the iconic brands in the Bacardi portfolio and consumers in those regions, the company said in a news release.

The new CEO announced two appointments, naming John Burke as global chief marketing officer of Bacardi and president of Bacardi Global Brands Ltd., and Ignacio del Valle regional president of the Latin America and Caribbean region.