Tasmania’s first licensed distillery, Lark Distilling Co, has appointed non-executive director, Domenic Panaccio, as chair, following the resignation of David Dearie. Panaccio has a background that includes 20 years at Fosters Group.
Dearie joined the board as executive chair in May 2019, and transitioned to non-executive chair in May 2020. He said it had been a privilege to serve as chair.
“While we have had success in growing the Lark brand domestically and the whisky bank, the board and the Lark team are now focussed on our next chapter of growing the brand and distribution of Lark internationally.
“I remain committed to support Lark with this next growth phase as a non-executive director and using my network within Europe and America, where I will be based, to aid management in unlocking this opportunity,” Dearie said.
Lark CEO Sash Sharma thanked Dearie for his commitment and said he looks forward to working with him on Lark’s international expansion plans.
“I welcome Domenic’s appointment as chair of Lark as we continue to execute on Lark’s strategy to create long term value for our stakeholders,” Sharma said.
Panaccio joined the board in March 2022, with experience in real estate and consumer product industries.
In its announcement, the company said, “He has extensive experience across all facets of company management, including finance, equity and debt capital markets, risk management and business strategy. Domenic has had a long and distinguished career in senior management of large public companies including 20 years at Fosters Group and 10 years at Westfield.
“From 2010 to 2014, Domenic was CEO of Westfield Retail Trust, one of the largest ASX listed property trusts in Australian at that time. Domenic previously held a number of senior positions including Deputy CFO of Westfield Group, CFO of Westfield America and CFO for the Foster’s Group Wine Division, Beringer Blass Wine Estates.”
Panaccio said, “I am honoured to be elected to succeed David as Chair. David has worked tirelessly with the Executive team and the Board for many years to grow Lark into Australia’s Number 1 Luxury Single Malt Whisky. I am committed to the creation of long-term value for all our stakeholders and look forward to working with my fellow Directors and management to achieve this.”
At the Australian Whisky Awards in March 2023, LARK was proudly awarded “Distillery of the Year”, DARK LARK was crowned “Single Malt of the Year”, Bill Lark was named “Personality of the Year”, and Master Distiller Chris Thomson was named “Distiller of the Year”.
