Brown-Forman, the parent company of iconic drinks brand Jack Daniel's, has announced the retirement of its veteran general counsel, Michael Crutcher.

Crutcher, who joined the company in1989 as general counsel and company secretary from Kirkpatrick & Lockhart – now K&L Gates – will retire at the end of August.

Crutcher currently acts as company secretary and is also responsible for Brown-Forman's government relations function. The drinks company has said that it will recruit externally for a successor to Crutcher and is looking to find a replacement before he retires.

Brown-Forman is one of the largest spirits companies in the world and employs more than 3,500 people globally. It owns brand including Finlandia Vodka and Southern Comfort.

In January the group paid $766m (£395m) for Mexican tequila brand Herradura in a bid to expand its US portfolio.