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R&B Distillers reshuffles leadership positions
Scotch whisky maker R&B Distillers has made changes to its senior executive team, promoting William Dobbie to managing director.
William Dobbie has been serving as the company’s commercial director for the last four years. He has taken over as managing director from his father, Bill Dobbie, who co-founded the company in 2014.
Bill Dobbie will continue at the company as chairman.
Bill Dobbie said: “William has helped drive double-digit revenue growth at over 20% per annum during his four years as commercial director, and R&B’s board was unanimous in its decision to give him the opportunity to lead the company’s next phase of growth.
“We have continued to see solid growth in the UK and internationally over the last few years, including during what was a challenging year for the industry in 2023, and are excited by our prospects to build sales in existing and new markets over the next decade.”
R&B Distillers owns the Isle of Raasay Distillery and is planning to open a sustainable single malt whisky distillery in Campbeltown in the next 12-18 months.
The distillery will be situated at Dhurrie Farm in Machrihanish, on the west coast of Scotland, and will be the first new farm distillery in the region in more than 180 years.
There are also longer term plans to open the Duke Street Distillery, a micro grain distillery in Coldstream based in the Scottish Borders, which, once plans are approved, will be built around co-founder and master distiller Alasdair Day’s heritage, using his family’s recipe book.
R&B Distillers reported £5 million (US$6.3m) in revenue for the year ended 31 December 2023. The producer has launched its Isle of Raasay products in 40 markets around the world.
The company said it aimed to grow sales to more than £25 million (US$31.6m) in the next decade.
“The whole team deserves so much credit for our success to date, and our 10-year vision is centred on taking the business to the next level, increasing our international presence in lucrative markets like North America and Asia,” said William Dobbie.
“While the high end of the whisky market has come under pressure over the last year, we have managed to significantly increase sales, grow a loyal customer base and brand in the face of industry headwinds.”
Alongside the Dobbies and Alistair Day, R&B’s management team comprises Stuart Blues, finance director, and Norman Gillies, operations director.