Scotch whisky distiller Edrington, maker of The Famous Grouse, has announced that its operations director Ian Curle has been selected to succeed Ian Good as chief executive when the latter steps down from the role next April.
In the meantime, Curle will assume the role of deputy chief executive with immediate effect. He will be the youngest chief executive in Edrington’s 150 year history.
Edrington said in a statement that Curle would work closely with Good prior to becoming chief executive at the start of the group’s new financial year, from which time Good, presently chairman and chief executive, would become executive chairman. Good (59), who is also chairman of the Scotch Whisky Association, has been chief executive of Edrington since 1989.
Good said: “I am particularly pleased that my successor as chief executive has been appointed from within the group. Ian’s extensive experience in financial and operational matters, coupled with the group’s proven strength in brand-building, will be of particular importance as we seek to develop our brands around the world, in line with our stated strategy.
“This hand-over process will ensure that we achieve a seamless transition and a continuity of management. Ian has a passion and understanding for the Group’s ethos and philosophy which is very important to Edrington. These are exciting times in the company’s development as we commit increased resources to develop our brands and I look forward to Ian leading our team to further success in the future.”
Curle said: “It is a great honour to be selected for this appointment and I am looking forward to the challenge of building upon the group’s success. I believe that our key brands have considerable scope to grow further and we will continue to invest in countries which have the potential to become important markets.”
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Curle joined Edrington from accountancy firm Arthur Andersen in 1986 and held a number of roles throughout the group prior to being appointed operations director in 1997. In this position he has ultimate responsibility for the running of Edrington’s five distilleries: Highland Park on Orkney, The Macallan / Glenrothes / Tamdhu on Speyside and Glenturret, Scotland’s oldest distillery, outside Crieff. He is also responsible for whisky stocks, the supply chain and providing customer services on behalf of Edrington’s brands to 120 countries.
