Bermuda-based Bacardi Ltd. has named a current board member and a former head of Philip Morris International as its new president and chief executive officer.

The board of directors unanimously elected Andreas Gembler, 62, to lead the world?s largest privately held spirits company, at a meeting in Bermuda last Thursday. In 2003, he was among three outside directors appointed to Bacardi?s board.

That election marked the first time in Bacardi?s history that the company ? which is owned by about 600 shareholders, 98 percent of whom are members of the Bacardi family ? agreed to elect outsiders to the board.

Since then he has served on Bacardi?s Audit and Compensation Committees.

Current acting president and CEO and chairman of the board of Bacardi Limited Ruben Rodriguez said of the appointment: ?Andreas is a highly accomplished global business executive with a wealth of experience. In the two years he has served on Bacardi?s board he has contributed significantly to the success of the company while bringing continuous leadership.?

Mr. Rodriguez surprised many industry watchers last month by announcing his intent to leave Bacardi management. It has yet to be decided who will succeed him as chairman although a Bacardi spokesperson confirmed that a decision is expected in time for the company?s shareholders meeting on June 23.

Swiss resident Mr. Gembler, who is also chairman of the luxury Swiss-based watchmaker Bertolucci Watch Manufacturing and a member of the board of directors of the SKYTEC group, will remain a member of Bacardi?s board when he takes over as CEO on June 1. He will also be based in Bermuda.

Mr. Gembler had a 30 year career with Philip Morris International and retired as president and CEO in 1999. He received his B.A. in business administration in Bremen, Germany.

?Bacardi Limited is a forward-looking company with an excellent portfolio of premium products. We will continue to drive growth organically, through acquisition and new product development,? said Mr. Gembler.