Blue Sky Drinks has named former Metcash executive Paul Slaughter as its chief executive officer.
The company was formed in October 2026 after acquiring Australian distiller Top Shelf International and local RTD business Gravity Drinks. Former Beam Suntory and Sazerac executive Ray Noble is among the talent on the new company’s board.
The group said in a statement the move comes as it “fast-tracks plans to become Australia’s largest independent spirits and ready-to-drink business”.
Slaughter’s most recent role was with Australian importer and distributor Stellar Distribution, where he was CEO for more than two years.
“It’s been a huge six months since the merger with Gravity Drinks Co. and Top Shelf International and we’ve achieved an enormous amount in that time, reducing $10 million of our cost base and increasing active outlets by 50%,” founder and chairman Mick Spencer said.
“Paul brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience, he’s led some incredible Australian brands through periods of transformation and growth, understands complex operations and has a proven ability to build high-performing teams.”
Slaughter said: “I’ve led or worked on a lot of quality businesses with great people in the past, and I can honestly say that this small, but building team, punches incredibly above its weight.”
Blue Sky said it is planning to release Australia’s first single-estate agave spirit, Sollos, amd will open a cellar door for the brand in Whitsundays at the end of next month.