Ex-Morrison Bowmore CEO joins Last Drop board

The former CEO of Morrison Bowmore Distillers, Mike Keiller, has joined The Last Drop Distillers’ board of directors as part of the firm’s plans to “accelerate” its expansion as a luxury spirits brand.

Mike Keiller, former CEO of Morrison Bowmore, has joined The Last Drop Distillers’ board of directors

Keiller will be responsible for overseeing the financial and corporate strategy of growing the spirits business, which will include financial planning.

“Like all of The Last Drop Distillers tea, Mike has a fantastic breadth of drinks industry experience, showing what he’s capable of during 14 successful years as CEO of Morrison Bowmore Distillers,” commented James Espey, founder and chairman of The Last Drop.

“His record of delivering strong business and financial results makes us confident that his knowledge and vision will play an integral role in driving the company forward as we look to expand through 2016 and beyond.”

Before joining the board of directors, Keiller worked as CEO of Morrison Bowmore Distillers for 14 years, taking the company from a bulk whisky supply and services operation to a revered single malt Scotch whisky producer boasting brands such as Auchentoshan, Bowmore, Glen Garioch and McClelland’s.

Before joining Morrison Bowmore, Keiller was director of financial planning and control at BT UK, and before that he spent 14 years at Guinness Plc, which is now part of Diageo Plc.

Keiller said: “The Last Drop is finding and creating an exceptional collection of spirits, whilst also proving itself as a strong business model that’s entrenched in exclusivity, craft and excellence.

“I’m relishing the opportunity to lead on the company’s corporate strategy and development at this stage of its growth and am thoroughly looking forward to being part of its passionate and tight-knit team of true spirits pioneers.”

Keiller stepped down from his role as CEO of Morrison Bowmore Distillery in October 2014 shortly after news broke that Suntory, owner of Morrison Bowmore, had merged with US company Beam to create Beam Suntory.