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Gordon & MacPhail’s David Urquhart passes away
The whisky world and local Moray community have paid tribute to David Urquhart, Gordon & MacPhail’s former joint-MD, who has died following a battle with cancer.
David Urquhart has passed away after a battle with cancer
He passed away on Monday at the age of 63, surrounded by his family in Findhorn.
Mr Urquhart is widely credited as the driving force behind Gordon & MacPhail’s rise to international prominence.
A third-generation family member, he first joined Gordon & MacPhail in 1972 after graduating in business from the University of Aberdeen, and held a number of roles before being promoted to UK sales director in January 1980. He was appointed joint managing director in 2007, along with his brother Michael, and retired from the business in 2012. He remained on the board as a non-executive director.
In addition to his whisky roles, Mr. Urquhart worked to build the tourism industry in his native Moray, most notably as a founding organiser of the annual Piping at Forres event where the European Pipe Band Championships are held.
He also worked on the Elgin BID project, and was named Ambassador of the Year 2014 at the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards 2014.
Ewen Mackintosh, Gordon & Macphail’s chief operating officer, led the tributes to Mr. Urquhart.
“David was a wonderful character and a born salesman who played a huge role in the company,” he told The Press and Journal.
“He became a legendary figure in the whisky industry, and we will all miss his drive, energy and enthusiasm.”
Moray MP Angus Robertson said: “He has been a great ambassador for Moray both at home and abroad, and will be sorely missed by many people.”
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead worked with Mr Urquhart over the course of his career and said: “David Urquhart was much loved, he made an enormous contribution to business and community life in Moray. He leaves behind a rich, lasting legacy having played a crucial role in so many projects.
“I had the privilege to work with David over the years and see his incredible enthusiasm and passion for so many local causes. But most of all he was a family man.”
This morning, members of the Moray community took to Twitter to pay their respects. Nicola McAlley, STV News reporter for Highlands & Islands, described Mr. Urquhart as a “true gentleman”, while Douglas Ross, councillor for Fochabers-Lhanbryde, said paid tribute to a “proud family man, a great businessman and a passionate Moray man”.