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SWA appoints new legal affairs director
Trade body the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has appointed Alan Park as its new director of legal affairs as long-serving executive Magnus Cormack steps down from the role.
Alan Park has been appointed as the SWA’s new director of legal affairs
Cormack, who joined the organisation 33 years ago, will leave the SWA at the end of this month.
Park, currently senior legal counsel at the SWA, joined the firm 13 years ago and will now lead the legal team that safeguards Scotch whisky around the world, including the spirit’s GI status.
As senior legal counsel, Park was responsible for the association’s legal work in a number of jurisdictions across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America.
He is a member of the European Communities Trade Mark Association’s (ECTA’s) GI committee and sits on the European Union group of the Organisation for an International Geographical Indications Network (OriGIn) on behalf of the SWA.
“We wish Magnus Cormack all the best for the future and thank him for his many years of sterling work for the SWA,” said David Frost, CEO of the SWA.
“And I’m delighted that Alan Park has agreed to step up to the position of director of legal affairs. I’m sure he’ll continue the excellent work of Magnus in safeguarding Scotch whisky around the world.”
Park will lead a team of four legal counsel, one paralegal and two departmental assistants.
He said: “Since 2003 I’ve been committed to protecting Scotch from unfair competition and helping tackle the issue of fakes in several markets across the globe.
“I have always been passionate about working for such a fantastic industry and it will be a privilege to lead the legal affairs team as we ensure Scotch retains its status as a world-leading spirit drink of the highest quality.”
The SWA has recently claimed a number of legal victories around the world.
Earlier this month, Diageo confirmed that it intended to change the name of its McDowell’s No.1 Indian whisky – the world’s second largest whisky brand – in all export markets following pressure from the SWA.