Curle, pictured left with McCroskie, joined the business in 1986 through Edrington’s subsidiary Lang Brothers, becoming group operations director in 1997 before succeeding Sir Ian Good as chief executive in 2004. He has been chairman of the North British Distillery since 2002, is a former chairman of the Scotch Whisky Association, and is an advisor to the UK Board of Trade.
Edrington chairman Crawford Gillies said that after a thorough search, McCroskie was chosen and will become chief executive from April1.
Gillies said: “Scott has accumulated a wealth of experience during 20 years in senior roles in the drinks industry. As an Edrington board director and managing director of The Macallan, he has delivered remarkable success and contributed greatly to the business. He is the right leader to build on Ian’s hugely successful tenure and help write the next chapter of Edrington’s history.”
The company says Curle’s stewardship of Edrington has transformed the business from a successful scotch whisky producer employing 900 people, to a leading premium spirits brand building company with 3,000 employees. It says ,in that period, The Macallan has become the world’s most valuable single malt, sitting at the top of a portfolio that also includes Highland Park, The Glenrothes and The Famous Grouse.
During his 15 years at the helm of Edrington, the company has invested and developed a worldwide sales and distribution network of wholly owned and joint venture companies in Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Dominican Republic.
Curle said: “I would like to thank the trustees of our principal owner, The Robertson Trust, for their support over many years.
“Edrington’s best days lie ahead, and through Scott’s leadership it will continue to be an ambitious, dynamic business, and a cornerstone of the scotch whisky industry that maintains and nurtures the ethos of giving more that has underpinned the company for 157 years.”
