Bacardi Appoints Kevin Gouthro as Managing Director for Canada

TORONTO, Canada, July 22, 2026 – Bacardi Canada, Inc. announces the promotion of Kevin Gouthro to Managing Director of Canada. With more than 20 years of beverage industry experience, including more than eight years with Bacardi, Kevin brings deep commercial expertise, strong customer relationships, and a proven track record of building brands in the Canadian market. His appointment reflects the family-owned company’s commitment to developing talent from within and positioning its business for continued growth in Canada. This appointment follows the move of Peter Starski, who most recently held the role of Managing Director of Canada, to the role of Senior Director, Performance Management, North America.

In this role, Kevin is responsible for the overall market performance of Bacardi in Canada across all functions and activities. He will lead the delivery of the market’s annual financial and commercial plans while strengthening relationships with distributor partners and key customers. Kevin reports to Jeff Branson, Senior Vice President, Commercial for Bacardi North America, and will continue to be based in Toronto.

“Kevin brings the market knowledge, customer focus, and leadership needed to build on the progress we’ve made in Canada and guide the business through its next chapter of growth,” says Jeff Branson, Senior Vice President, Commercial for Bacardi North America. “His appointment is a reflection of the strong talent we have across Bacardi and our commitment to developing leaders from within, creating opportunities for them to make an even greater impact on our business.”

Kevin first joined Bacardi in Canada in 2018 as Provincial Sales Manager in Calgary and has since progressed into broader commercial roles at the national level, including Director, Customer Strategy, and most recently National Sales Director, where he also oversaw the on-premise channel. Before joining Bacardi, Kevin built strong commercial experience over a 12-year career in progressively senior sales and account management roles at PepsiCo.

“Bacardi Canada has strong momentum, great brands, and important opportunities ahead,” says Kevin Gouthro, Managing Director for Bacardi Canada. “It is a privilege to lead this business, and I look forward to building on that progress with our team, customers, and partners.”

Originally from St. Albert, Alberta, Kevin holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a focus in Business Law and Economics from the University of Alberta and also studied business at MacEwan University.

About Bacardi Canada, Inc.

Bacardi Canada, Inc. is the Canada import and distribution arm of family-owned Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the market, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur, and other leading and emerging brands.