New boss at the top of The Cairn
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A new face will take over as chief executive in the spring at the owners of The Cairn distillery by Grantown.
Elgin based family-owned whisky specialist, Gordon & MacPhail, has confirmed the appointment of Phillip White as their new chief executive.
He replaces long time boss Ewen Mackintosh, who is retiring, and will join the business in early April.
Mr White will lead the company as it moves into its next chapter of development, focussing on international growth of its own brands including Benromach and The Cairn.
Neil Urquhart, Chairman at Gordon & MacPhail, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Phillip to the Gordon & MacPhail team and believe he is the right person to lead the business thanks, in part, to his excellent leadership qualities and experience working with global brands, UK retail distribution and the wider spirits industry.
“This is an exciting time for the company as we look forward to executing our ambitious plans to continue building our brands internationally, develop our workforce and embark on a significant capital investment phase to prepare the business for future growth while remaining true to our values.”
Mr White said taking on the role was ‘an honour’.
He said: “The company has grown significantly, particularly over the last few years, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue building a successful family business committed to inspiring enthusiasts around the world to discover, appreciate and enjoy the finest single malt whiskies and highest quality spirits.”
A company spokesman said: “Phillip brings with him a wealth of leadership experience in the food and drink industry, most recently from his position as managing director of Kent Frozen Foods and Medina Foodservice.
“Well versed in international growth, he has led a career spanning marketing, sales and distribution within the food wholesale and spirits sectors including 10 years with Bacardi and Brown-Forman.
“Experienced in working for both family businesses and PLCs, Phillip will support the Gordon & MacPhail team to achieve its ambitious strategic growth aspirations.”
The appointment of the new CEO comes shortly after the company’s latest financial figures revealed total sales increased by 24.3 per cent to £46.5m, buoyed by the successful release of Gordon & MacPhail Generations 80 Years Old – the company’s oldest single malt to date.
Part of the organisation’s focus on securing the long-term future of its brands and investing in the future of the whisky industry, The Cairn at Gaich became operational in May 2022 before opening its doors to the public in the October.
The new site has added further distillation capacity and brand ownership to the company’s asset base. It is home to a five star visitor experience offering tours, tastings and a tapas style menu of the finest Scottish produce.
The firm will wait until the mid-2030s to release the first single malt whisky to be distilled at The Cairn. Meantime, a range of blended malt whiskies has been created under the brand name CRN57 to give customers the opportunity to gain a sense of the flavours to follow.
