LARK APPOINTS NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND ANNOUNCES 1H FY26 RESULTS
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Lark Distilling Co. Ltd Appoints New Chief Financial Officer
Lark Distilling Co. Ltd (ASX: LRK ) (“LARK ” or the “ Company ”) Australia’s No.1 Luxury Single Malt Whisky producer and brand is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Paul Bowker as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective 2 March 2026.
Mr Bowker will join the Company following an extensive search process and brings considerable experience to support LARK’s next phase of growth. Mr Bowker was Co - Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Brick Lane Brewing, growing the business from inception to significant scale through national retail distribution, hospitality venues and contract brewing operations. Pr ior to this, Mr Bowker served for six years with ASX listed LogiCamms Limited as Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Company Secretary. A trained lawyer, Mr Bowker also held legal positions with various organisations including ASIC , and Linklaters in London.
Mr Bowker’s formal qualifications include Master of Applied Finance , Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws and Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance.
Mr Bowker’s appointment follows the previously announced resignation of Mr Iain Short who will conclude his employment with the Company on 31 March 2026. From 2 March 2026, Mr Bowker will assume responsibility for the Chief Financial Officer role . Mr Short will remain with the Company until 31 March 2026 in a transitional capacity to support an orderly handover of responsibilities.
Stuart Gregor, LARK CEO commented:
“I’m delighted to welcome Paul to LARK . As the business gets ready to launch our new portfolio into the Australian market and further expand our international footprint, Paul's experience will be instrumental in supporting LARK in this next phase of growth.
My thanks once again to Iain for the leadership, dedication and commitment to the business over the last three years. He has strengthened our processes, governance and operational platform, helping return the business to growth, and will be supporting the transition in the coming weeks prior to leaving LARK at the end of March ”.
ASX Announcement: LARK 1H FY26 Results - Positive Momentum Ahead Of Global Portfolio Launch
Lark Distilling Co. Ltd (ASX: LRK ) (“LARK ” or the “ Company ”) Australia’s No.1 Luxury Single Malt Whisky producer and brand is pleased to provide an update on the Company’s performance to accompany its half year results for the period ended 31 December 2025 (1H FY26) .
1H FY26 Highlights:
• Net Sales revenue after excise reached $8.7 million, up 10% compared to the prior corresponding period (pcp), with Whisky Net Sales +18% vs. 1H FY25 , delivering six consecutive quarters of Net Sales growth vs. pcp within a challenging industry backdrop.
• Direct Export Net Sales $1.3 million, an increase of $0.8 million on pcp, reflecting expanded distribution and momentum across 10 Asian markets and initial shipments of new portfolio.
• Global Travel Retail (GTR) Net Sales of $1.0 million, up 17% vs visibility across Australian airports ahead of planned international rollout.
• Direct to Consumer (D2C) Net Sales of $4.2 million, up 17% vs momentum in Ecommerce, which grew by 33%.
• Domestic B2B Net Sales of $2.3 million, down 24 % vs . pcp, due to a change in sales model in the comparative period and timing of shipments , with underlying Whisky depletion volumes seeing continued positive momentum.
• Production and initial export shipments of new LARK range following completion of brand restage, ahead of coordinated consumer launches and domestic rollout with incremental distribution secured for 2H FY26.
• Strong balance sheet with cash of $18.3 million as at 31 December 2025, provides capital required to execute growth strategy with major capital projects now largely complete.
• Completion of Pontville Distillery redevelopment delivering capacity upgrades and improved safety, quality and efficiencies. Renovations at Pontville and Davey St Hobart hospitality venues delivered increased capacity and enhanced brand and consumer experience.
• LARK resonating as a leader in New World Whisky with Chris Thomson announced as Master Distiller/Master Blender of the Year – Rest of the World, in the World Whiskies Awards 2026.
About us:
About LARK Distilling Co.
Founded in 1992 by pioneers Bill and Lyn Lark, LARK Distilling Co. is the original distillery of modern Tasmania, igniting the island’s whisky movement, overturning a 150-year-old distilling ban and establishing Tasmania as one of the world’s most distinctive whisky regions. Today, LARK is Australia’s No.1 Luxury Single Malt Whisky brand and a recognised leader of the global New World whisky category.
Crafted at the historic Pontville Distillery in Tasmania, LARK whiskies are defined by fortified depth, silky complexity and a flavour-forward style shaped by the island’s extraordinary super-climate.
Guided by curiosity rather than convention, LARK continues to push boundaries through innovation in cask maturation, locally sourced ingredients and creative experimentation - producing whiskies that taste like nowhere else on Earth.
Alongside its acclaimed Single Malt portfolio, LARK handcrafts the award-winning Forty Spotted Gin range, made with native botanicals including Tasmanian pepperberry, citrus and juniper, offering a refreshing perspective on gin from the bottom of the world. KURIO, the newest addition, is a bold Tasmanian Blended Malt Whisky from the makers of LARK, created for the curious by the curious. Crafted from innovative single malt experiments and unexpected cask finishes, it celebrates the creative pulse of the island. Led by Master Distiller Chris Thomson, KURIO invites drinkers to discover flavour beyond the expected.
LARK and its family of brands are recognised locally and globally for their quality, pioneering spirit and community, earning numerous international accolades over more than three decades. Most recently, LARK won three Double Gold medals and two gold medals at the 2025 World Spirits Competition in San Francisco, as well as earning five medals at the World Whiskies Awards, including Gold for LARK 1911 and a fourth consecutive Category Winner for Symphony No.1. In 2024, LARK was awarded Australia’s Best Single Malt and Best Blended Malt at the World Whiskies Awards in London.
LARK and Forty Spotted Gin can be experienced at the Hobart Cellar Door and The Still Whisky and Cocktail Bar, through premium bars, retailers and Global Travel Retail around the world.
The immersive LARK Distillery Tour at the historic Pontville site invites whisky lovers and flavour explorers to discover Tasmania’s New World of Whisky seven days a week.
Whisky from another world.
For more information, visit www.larkdistillery.com
Contact details:
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jamie Andreev, Publicist [email protected] M: 0425 132 258
Nicole Craig, Publicity & Media Liaison Director [email protected] M: 0405 105 676