Lark Master Distiller to depart after almost two decades

Chris Thomson, a driving force behind Lark whisky for almost two decades, is set to leave the Tasmanian distillery at the end of the year.

Thomson said the job he set out to achieve is complete and that he is excited about exploring new adventures.

The Master Distiller joined Lark in early 2007 as a young musician and went on to become what Lark CEO and managing director Stuart Gregor describes as the “beating heart and soul” of the company for more than half its existence.

In 2026, Thomson was named Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year – Rest of the World at the World Whiskies Awards – Icons of Whisky, selected from a field spanning more than 40 whisky-producing nations.

“Almost 20 years ago, I set out with a pretty audacious ambition for what Lark could become," Thomson says. "Today, I feel like I’m standing on top of the mountain I set out to climb all those years ago.

"For almost as long, I’ve dreamed of creating a whisky brand of my own. But I always felt I couldn't do that until Lark's future was assured.

“I believe that point has now come.”

Thomson leaves following the creation and launch of Lark's new signature whiskies, the products he describes as his “life's work”, with the company now operating from its expanded Pontville distillery supported by an established whisky bank and an experienced production and whisky-making team.

“Lark has a product range of genuine international standard, the ability to scale and a whisky bank brimming with incredible whisky,” he said.

“More importantly, it has the people, systems, ambition and vision to become the whisky brand I always believed it could be."

Perhaps unusually for someone leaving after two decades, Thomson says one of the things he is proudest of is that Lark no longer needs him.

“In many ways, Lark has outgrown me and I'm incredibly proud of that." he said.

“Jake (Evans) is a better distiller. Josh (Wilson), Jodie (Dawe) and Nick (Walden) have taken the reins of the blending. Rick (Hoedjes) knows more about casks than I do. The systems and processes that once lived in people's heads are now mature, repeatable and scalable.

“There is an extraordinary group of people at Lark ready to carry it forward. And as for me? Well I am going to take a few months off over summer with the family and then begin the pursuit of my own whisky dream, or potentially, dreams! Stay tuned.”

He's gone: controversial Joyce heads for the emergency exit

Alan Joyce, one of the most divisive figures in Australia, has taken his bag of cash and done a runner.

The Qantas Group CEO has advised the airline's board that he is bringing forward his retirement by two months "to help the company accelerate its renewal".

CEO Designate Vanessa Hudson will assume the role of managing director and Group CEO effective from tomorrow, September 6, 2023.

The centre of increased anger since his $24 million departure pay-out was made public, Joyce said: “In the last few weeks, the focus on Qantas and events of the past make it clear to me that the company needs to move ahead with its renewal as a priority.

“The best thing I can do under these circumstances is to bring forward my retirement and hand over to Vanessa and the new management team now, knowing they will do an excellent job.

“There is a lot I am proud of over my 22 years at Qantas, including the past 15 years as CEO.

"There have been many ups and downs, and there is clearly much work still to be done, especially to make sure we always deliver for our customers. But I leave knowing that the company is fundamentally strong and has a bright future,” Irish-born Joyce added.

Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder defending the man who oversaw record profits but shredded the company's reputation for quality service with cancellations and chaos.

“Alan has always had the best interests of Qantas front and centre, and today shows that. On behalf of the Board, we sincerely thank him for his leadership through some enormous challenges and for thinking well-ahead on opportunities like ultra long-haul travel.

“This transition comes at what is obviously a challenging time for Qantas and its people. We have an important job to do in restoring the public’s confidence in the kind of company we are, and that’s what the Board is focused on, and what the management under Vanessa’s leadership will do.” 

As planned, shareholders will formally vote on the appointment of Hudson as managing director at Qantas’ Annual General Meeting in November.