SWA announces senior management changes

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is looking to appoint a new global affairs director, as two senior directors announce their departure.

The SWA seeks to appoint a new global affairs director as two senior directors announce their departure

Based in London, the new director will be in charge of the SWA’s new London office – which is scheduled to open in mid-2015 – and manage a team based in both London and Edinburgh.

The new director will work on eliminating barriers to the export of Scotch whisky, building and extending the SWA’s international influence and contacts and positioning the group as an “institution with broader international credibility on the importance of free trade and open markets”.

“I am excited to announce this further change in the SWA’s work,” said David Frost, CEO of the SWA. “We believe that a permanent London presence will enhance our ability to engage effectively and build relationships both with the UK government and with other governments and bodies represented there.”

Alongside this planned development comes the departure of two directors.

Campbell Evans, international affairs director, will leave the SWA by mutual agreement later this year, while Nick Soper, European affairs director, left the SWA on 17 November 2014 as part of the group’s “restructuring and changes of roles and responsibilities”.

“Campbell has been a key part of the association for many years,” said Frost. “All of us at the association wish him all the best in pursuing other opportunities and I wish to thank him for his long and distinguished service to the Scotch whisky industry.

“I pay tribute to Nick’s sterling service to the association over more than 20 years and wish him the best for the future.”

In December last year, the SWA appointed Pierre Pringuet, CEO of French drinks group Pernod Ricard, as its new chairman.