Spirits wizard to lift Lark to new heights

When I was working as a feature writer at the Daily Telegraph in Sydney a few decades ago, one of the copy boys was a smart-as-a-whip young fellow clearly going places.

Stuart Gregor was his name - and he went places fast. From journalism to PR, where he founded the trendsetting Liquid Ideas company.

Then to the drinks business, where he co-founded Four Pillars and turned it into a globally recognised gin brand, then to Lark Distilling in Tasmania, where he was a non-executive director.

In between, he has been a former panellist on ABC's Gruen and regular media commentator and event host. He was president of the Australian Distillers Association (2014-2022) and a director of food rescue organization, OzHarvest for nine years.

So he's a bit of an over achiever.

Today, he was appointed CEO and MD of Lark, taking over from Sash Sharma at the end of the year. 

Lark chairman Domenic Panaccio said: “We are excited to have Stuart join as Lark’s next MD and CEO.

"Stuart already has a deep understanding of Lark through his role on our board and has been intimately involved in the re-stage of our brand as we embark on our exciting next chapter.

“Stuart combines deep category knowledge, proven entrepreneurial credentials, and global perspective with an unrivalled passion for Australian spirits. His leadership will accelerate Lark’s ambition to be recognised as a leader in new world whisky, while continuing to build on the exceptional legacy created under Satya’s stewardship.”

Gregor was predictably excited about the news, posting on his LinkedIn page.

“The opportunity to lead Lark is rare and exciting in the Australian distilling landscape and is the only one that would have attracted me back into the industry following the successful sale of Four Pillars to Lion," he said.

“I’m genuinely excited about the future of Lark. Sash and the team have built a solid foundation, and now is the perfect time to leverage our position, grow the business and spread the Lark story across the globe.

“We have Australia’s most iconic legacy in Bill and Lyn Lark, and one of the country’s finest and most creative distillers in Chris Thomson crafting some of the world’s best whiskies.

In addition, with the unique access to rare Seppeltsfield casks, our Tasmanian peat marsh and the whisky making super climate that Tasmania offers, we have everything we need to take this brand to new heights. I’m excited to lead Lark and the team for what will be an incredible period ahead.”

The copy boy who became a man of many talents

A lifetime ago, when I was working as a feature writer at Sydney's Daily Telegraph, I had a copy boy who was exceptionally bright.

The job involved taking typed stories from one section of the newspaper office to another, keeping the hacks plied with coffee and, back in those days, being sent out to buy cigarettes.

This particular copy boy went on to become a very good journalist.

He then moved into communications, founding Liquid Ideas, a leading marketing agency for food, drink, travel and lifestyle brands.

He also co-owns a luxury travel business Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel, and has been a regular panellist on ABC TV program Gruen. He's also a sought-after public speaker and tireless behind-the-scenes worker for charity. He’s often the smartest dude in the room. 

In 2013 was the co-founder of Four Pillars, a boutique gin distillery that prospered.

This week brewing giant Lion announced it is to will take full ownership of Four Pillars Gin, having purchasing 50% of of the business in 2019 for a reported $40 million,

The Australian Financial Review reported this week that Lion has now acquired the second half of the business for an estimated $50 million.

So that leaves my friend and former colleague Stuart Gregor. the former president of the Australian Distillers Association, with plenty of time to improve his golf swing and attend Sydney Swans games.

Cameron McKenzie and Matt Jones, the other two co-founders, will stay with Four Pillars.

Stuart will leave the business on September 1 after what he describes as “a wild but cool ride”. He's done good.