Singapore – Following a period of significant growth, La Maison du Whisky Asia-Pacific (LMDW APAC) has announced a strategic leadership transition. Arthur Morbois, who has served as managing director for the past five years, will formally hand over leadership to Diego Araud, a long-standing executive within the company.
During Morbois’ tenure, LMDW evolved from a Singapore-centric distributor into a regional hub. Revenue grew by more than 130%, and the team expanded from 11 to 24 staff across key functions. The Singapore office now supports operations across 19 markets, including Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and South Korea, and functions as a central logistics and commercial base for the region.
Among the key developments under Morbois’ leadership were the integration of the TOLL logistics centre, the implementation of a region-wide ERP system in 2022, and the Southeast Asia relaunch of flagship brands such as Nikka.
“It’s been an honour to build LMDW into a regional player. We’ve built a team that combines passion, expertise, and ambition. I’m confident Diego will take it even further,” Morbois said.
As incoming managing director, Araud brings over 13 years of experience at LMDW across retail, wholesale, education, and brand marketing, most recently serving as marketing director. Having lived in both France and Singapore, he is positioned to bridge the brand’s European heritage with regional growth opportunities.
In his new role, Araud will focus on expanding LMDW’s presence in Southeast Asia, accelerating export growth, and strengthening its multichannel development, particularly in Singapore’s on-trade sector. He also plans to grow the private clients and high-net-worth-individual segment and further develop Whisky Live into a flagship event for both long-time enthusiasts and emerging consumers.
“La Maison du Whisky has always stood for authenticity, curation, and connection. As we grow, it’s about deepening those values across every channel – from retail and e-commerce to on-trade and private clients. We want to reach more people, tell stronger stories, and redefine how fine spirits are explored and enjoyed across Asia-Pacific,” Araud said.
To support its next phase of development, LMDW APAC has also reinforced its senior leadership team around four core areas: commercial growth, brand storytelling, portfolio elevation, and customer experience. The new leadership reflects a blend of regional expertise and global perspective.
Nish Senan joins as marketing manager following five years in Australia’s spirits industry. With more than a decade of experience, he will lead portfolio development with a focus on brand strategy and channel execution.
Senan said, “Growth isn’t about adding more SKUs. It’s about building relevance in each market and executing with precision across every channel.”
Charlotte Then returns to the company as communications director after a two-year stint in brand and sustainability consulting. She previously helped shape LMDW Singapore’s brand voice from 2018 to 2023. She is currently overseeing the repositioning of Whisky Live Singapore as a leading event that blends discovery, culture, and next-generation whisky engagement.
“The fine spirits space is evolving fast. Consumers want context and experience, and we’re ready to lead that conversation,” Then commented.
Rachel Lam continues as sales manager for Singapore, where she oversees on-trade and prestige sales. Lam also manages key accounts, private clients, and prestige partnerships.
“It’s about connecting the right bottle to the right moment. Whether for a collector or a bar’s signature pour, we prioritise long-term value over quick wins,” Lam shared.
Meanwhile, Clémence Delaunay, senior sales export manager, leads LMDW’s commercial efforts across 19 markets in the region. She recently oversaw the launch of Nikka Whisky in Indonesia, with campaigns in Jakarta and Bali.
“Every market has its own rhythm,” she notes. “But the desire for quality and discovery is universal. We’re here to build lasting brand footprints, not just fill shelves,” Delaunay said.
