Spain’s Zamora Company - the family-owned group with brands such as Licor 43, Martin Miller’s Gin and Ramón Bilbao Rioja to its 75-year-old name - has appointed Javier Pijoan as the new CEO of the business.

Pijoan has more than 25 years’ experience in global food, beverage, and distribution companies, and will succeed Emilio Restoy who will take up a position on the Board of Directors.

Javier Pijoan worked for Heineken for more than 18 years, both on the International Executive Committee in Europe and Heineken in Spain.  He also held the position of CEO at Bacardi Limited in Iberia for three years, and previously worked at the Carrefour Group and Ingenería Idom Internacional.  He has an MBA from IE Business School, and has studied at Harvard Business School’s Global Talent Executive Leadership and Executive Education Programmes.

Pijoan’s appointment comes as Zamora announces it is ready to move to the next stage of its strategic plan.  Chairman José María de Santiago explains: “We’re ready for our next step, and this is going to focus on growing our international and digital presence, things we initiated a couple of years ago.  We are taking a commitment to professional executive management, while the family will continue to look after the interests of the group from the Board of Directors - just as it has done throughout our 75-year history.”

Pijoan adds, “I am proud to assume leadership of one of the international benchmark companies in the premium wines and spirits sector.  In line with its values as a sustainable company, I am grateful for the confidence of the family owners, and I take on the challenge with the aim of adding even more successes to the legacy they have achieved over three quarters of a century of work.  I am convinced we will achieve our goals thanks to the fantastic team of professionals that the group has around the world, so that our consumers continue to enjoy every moment with our brands.”

Zamora Company currently has a portfolio of 12 owned brands, including Licor 43, Martin Miller’s Gin and Ramón Bilbao Rioja, and operates in 80 countries.  The business is 50% focused on export, and 50% of the domestic market, and closed 2020 with a turnover of more than 172 million Euros.