Lark Distilling Co. has appointed Four Pillars Gin co-founder, Stuart Gregor, as its new managing director and CEO, taking effect from 1 January 2026. He will succeed Satya (Sash) Sharma, who is stepping down after being in the role since May 2023.
After co-founding Four Pillars in 2013, which grew to one of the most celebrated gin brands globally and was bought by Lion in 2023, Gregor also acted as president of the Australian Distillers Association from 2014-2022, and co-founded premium brand marketing agency, Liquid Ideas.
Gregor has been a non-executive director of Lark since 2024, and the company stated he comes into the CEO role with over 25 years of experience in brand creation, premium drinks marketing, international expansion, and entrepreneurial expertise.
Lark chairman, Domenic Panaccio, said Gregor already has a deep understanding of the company through his role on the board and has been involved in the re-staging of the brand as it prepares for the next stage of growth.
“Stuart combines deep category knowledge, proven entrepreneurial credentials, and global perspective with an unrivalled passion for Australian spirits,” said Panaccio.
“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 Sash’s stewardship.”
Last year, Lark signed an exclusive domestic market distribution deal with Spirits Platform, stating strengthening its domestic position was a key strategic priority. With new leadership, the team is looking towards the global market.
Gregor said the opportunity to lead Lark is rare and exciting in the Australian distilling landscape, and is the only one that would have attracted him back into the industry following the Four Pillars sale.
“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,” said Gregor.
“We have Australia’s most iconic legacy in Bill and Lyn Clark, 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 Seppetsfield 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.”
