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Edrington names new chairman
Highland Park and Macallan owner Edrington has appointed Angus Cockburn as its chairman following the retirement of Crawford Gillies.
After eight years of service, Gillies will step down from the Edrington board on 31 March 2025.
Gillies said: “It has been a privilege to chair Edrington and witness the company’s growth and resilience and its world-class portfolio of ultra-premium spirits.”
Starting his tenure on 1 April 2025, Cockburn is a chartered accountant with an MBA from the IMD Business School in Switzerland and an honorary professor at the University of Edinburgh.
Before joining the Edrington board as a non-executive director in September 2020, Cockburn had a successful career as a chief financial officer (CFO), senior finance officer, and non-executive director with several major international companies.
He previously served as the chief financial officer of Serco Group and, before that, as the CFO of Aggreko.
Currently, Cockburn is chairman of James Fisher & Sons, senior independent director of Ashtead Group, and non-executive director of BAE Systems.
Gillies added: “I wish Angus every success in his role as chair of Edrington and know his background as one of the UK’s most experienced CFOs and non-executive directors will be invaluable to Edrington in the coming years.”
Cockburn called Edrington a “unique business” as it “competes globally with some of the world’s best-known brands” while being owned by a charity and “plays a significant role in Scotland’s economy”.
He continued: “Crawford leaves the business in good health, and I look forward to supporting the executive team as we navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
‘Positive impact’
During Gillies’ tenure, Edrington has seen ‘sustained growth’, with highlights including the opening of the new distillery at The Macallan in 2018 and core revenue rising to over £1 billion (US$1.28bn).
Scott McCroskie, CEO of Edrington, commented: “Crawford has been an outstanding chair, helping to steer the company through a period of significant growth despite volatile trading conditions. The board and executive team are grateful for his dedicated service and the positive impact he has had on Edrington during his tenure. On a personal level, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Crawford and have learned a lot from him.
“Angus has been a great support to the business as a non-executive director for the past four years, and we are all delighted to welcome him as chair as Edrington faces a more challenging trading environment.”
Edrington is headquartered in Scotland and employs more than 3,300 people globally.
In September, the company announced plans to exit the blended whisky category after agreeing to sell The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt.
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