Irish focus for distiller William Grant

Distiller William Grant is setting up a new global marketing operation in Ireland.

The decision to site the office in Dublin follows the Scots firm's 260 million acquisition earlier this year of Irish group C&C's spirits and liqueurs arm.

The new operation, which will employ 17 people, will oversee the marketing of Grant's non-Scotch brands, including Sailor Jerry rum, Hendrick's Gin and the newly-acquired Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey.

The staff will work alongside the company's existing global marketing office in London.

Stella David, left, chief executive of William Grant, which is one of Scotland's largest private companies with global sales of 600m, said: "The establishment of a global marketing office in Dublin underlines our strong commitment to Ireland."