Close Menu
News

Wolfcraig co-founder Michael Lunn dies

Michael Lunn, former Whyte & Mackay CEO and a founding director of Wolfcraig Distillers, has died.

John Moore, Richard Paterson OBE, Michael Lunn, Jamie Lunn
L-R: John Moore, Richard Paterson OBE, Michael Lunn and Jamie Lunn (photo credit: Connor Mollison)

The Scottish businessman died on Saturday 21 January, aged 80 years old, following a short illness.

In 2020, Lunn partnered with his son, Jamie Lunn, business partner John Moore, and master blenders Richard Paterson OBE and Ian Macmillan to create whisky brand Wolfcraig Distillers.

Before Wolfcraig, Michael Lunn held senior roles at the NHS (the National Health Service), Paramount, Unwins Wine Group, Bernard Matthew Farms, Scottish Enterprise, and Tiso.

His son, Jamie, said: “The fact that my dad was in the boardroom right up until the day before he passed showed his passion and desire to help make the Wolfcraig vision a reality. His expertise, kindness and sharp wit will be greatly missed by the whole team.

“He always made time to speak to everybody collectively and individually, and always offered his support. I will miss our Thursday board meetings, but will miss him more deeply on a personal level.

“We will continue to push the business forward and make our vision a reality. Thank you for everything, dad.”

A tribute was also shared by Paterson, who described Michael as a “man on a mission”.

“We met back in 1978, when he was Whyte & Mackay’s marketing director,” Paterson recalled. “He was young, energetic and full of drive with a relentless passion to succeed, determined to make his mark.

“This attitude would never leave him. It is truly remarkable that even in his 80th year he was able to join us for our weekly board meeting in his final days; his passionate drive was still very much in evidence. Michael was clearly still a man on a mission to bring the same success to Wolfcraig as he had done for the brands of Whyte & Mackay.

“He will be greatly missed, but his spirit will always be with us.”

Michael is survived by his wife Jennifer, his children – Stuart, Victoria, Jamie and Alex – and his 10 grandchildren.

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No