Edrington brewery appoints AG Barr group FD

THE BREWER responsible for famous spirit brands including Famous Grouse, Highland Park and Cutty Sark has appointed Alex Short as group finance director.

Short joins Edrington from soft drink manufacturer AG Barr, famous for its production of Irn Bru, where he has been in-post for six years.

Previously, he spent twelve years at whisky company William Grant & Sons where he held a number of senior roles, including FD.

He is to replace Richard Hunter, who will retire in June, after 33 years with Edrington, including 20 as group FD.

Edrington has ambitious plans for international growth, including recently-established sales, marketing and distribution companies in South East Asia and the Middle East and will shortly be launching its own distribution operations in the United States.

The company also recently announced its plans for a new Speyside distillery and visitor centre for The Macallan.

Moves into the US market have already begun, with prominent Macallan sponsorship at the South by South West festival (SXSW) and its technology cousin South by South West Interactive (SXSWi) as it targets the “next generation” of customers.

Edrington CEO Ian Curle said: “I am delighted that Alex is joining Edrington – he brings a wealth of experience of financial directorship as well as knowledge of the drinks industry from his time at AG Barr and William Grant & Sons. He will be an important member of our board and I look forward to working with him.

“I would also like to pay tribute to Richard Hunter for his service to the company since he joined in 1981. Richard has been instrumental in the growth of Edrington, and his career has spanned the transformative integration of Highland Distillers and Brugal. On behalf of the entire board, I would like to wish him all the best in his retirement.”